Michail Antonio: I was close to dying in car crash, says West Ham forward
Julen Lopetegui was Antonio’s West Ham manager at the time of the crash, but the Spaniard was fired and replaced by Graham Potter.
He was initially seriously injured when appointing a new boss at the club.
“It’s so scary for me,” he added. “I won’t lie, it’s one of the hardest things for me, and in fact, a new manager came in and I wasn’t there to show what I could do at the end of the season.
“I was having a hard time at the time, but the only thing I could focus on was me and make sure I was right.
“One thing I had to realize is that it’s OK, and when I’m not right, I can’t rush myself there because it makes it worse.
“If I’m in a hurry, that’s why I didn’t sign a contract. As long as I’m sure I’m right, I know I’m going to do everything possible.”
West Ham funded Antonio’s rehabilitation, which included a trip to Dubai involving physiology, rest, rehabilitation and meditation.
The club helped organize charity programs to raise funds for emergency services involving the rescue of him from the wreckage, including when the entire team warmed up on Antonio’s shirt before auctioning them.
Teammate Jarrod Bowen further supported him, who lifted Antonio’s shirt against Wolves at the London Stadium.
Antonio was warmly received when he walked to the stadium on the nearest stadium Home match against Newcastle When he doesn’t have a cane.
“Love feels good,” he continued. “When I play football, I use it as a hobby and don’t support any clubs.
“I am definitely a West Ham fan right now. Everything the club did for me, the support they gave me on and off the court, the hospital and the experts were incredible. I thank the club, the fans, the emergency services, the emergency services, the people around me.”
As fans who were eager to know if he would return stopped in the street, he added: “I like people caring enough to ask me this question, so I don’t mind repeating 1,000 times. The goal is to rescoring the goal.”
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