WEST Ham star Michail Antonio has posted an emotional message online following his horror car crash.
The Hammers striker broke his leg in the smash involving his £260,000 Ferrari, which saw him airlifted to hospital earlier this month.
He was discharged earlier today and has now broken his silence on the ordeal.
Taking to his Instagram, Antonio thanked emergency services and the football community – and promised to be back in action soon.
He wrote: “Every year around this time, I’m asked what I’m grateful for, and every year I’ve struggled to find the right words.
“But this year, I know exactly what I’m grateful for: being alive.
“I’ve spent so many years taking life for granted. I made plans for the next day, the next year, always assuming tomorrow was guaranteed.
“What I’ve been through recently has opened my eyes.
“Life is fragile, and every single moment matters.
By Jon Boon
The outpouring of love from the football community for Michael Antonio has been massive, with the striker recognised as a big character in the game.
The Wandsworth-born forward started from humble beginnings – playing for non-league Tooting & Mitcham United.
After impressing in 2008, he was offered a trial at Reading – some five divisions up – and Alan Pardew duly snapped him up.
However, he later revealed he got kicked out by Tooting, after he refused to sign a contract.
Antonio said: “They kicked me out because I refused to sign a contract.
“I was like: ‘If someone comes in for me I don’t want to be tied down. I want to be able to go and not you out price me’.”
Following spells at Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest, in 2015 he was plucked from the Championship in a £7million deal by West Ham.
He’s been there ever since, winning a player of the year award, twice being named Premier League player of the month and lifting a European trophy.
Away from football, Antonio has bravely opened up about his mental health struggles in recent times.
The Jamaica international was recently asked by Gary Lineker on the Rest is Football podcast what he would like to do when he retires from the game.
He revealed: “I want to go into entertainment.
“So more on the basis of A League of Their Own, Play to the Whistle…”
Read more about Michail Antonio’s incredible rise and life away from the game.
“I’m so grateful to God for giving me the strength to keep going and for allowing me to still be here.
“To the emergency services, the NHS, the Air Ambulance, everyone at the Royal London and Cromwell hospitals and everyone from top to bottom at West Ham United FC.
“The medical team, the board, all of the staff, my teammates and the amazing West Ham fans… I honestly could not have got through this without you. thank you from the bottom of my heart.
“To my loved ones who stood by my side throughout everything, I can’t express how much you mean to me.
“Lastly, to the whole football community thank you for all the love and support you’ve shown me. It has truly meant the world.
“I love you all and I am endlessly grateful for every one of you.
“Happy New Year- and I’ll be back on that pitch soon.”
The striker was trapped in the wreckage of the supercar for more than an hour before ambulances arrived on the scene.
Cops have since ruled out booze or drugs as the reason for the crash, with investigators also reportedly working on the assumption that no third party was involved.
There hasn’t even been mention of excessive speeding, raising the possibility that it could have been a freak accident.
A source said: “Drink and drugs have already been ruled out, and officers are not currently looking for anyone else.
“There is no smoking gun as far as cops are concerned right now – but they have to investigate because the smash was so serious and caused such extensive injuries.
“Just because cops are involved doesn’t mean a crime has been committed.”
In response to the crash, West Ham has raised almost £60,000 for NHS and Air Ambulance charities to thank staff for their rapid response.
For their first game in the wake of the smash, players all wore shirts bearing Antonio’s name.
These were then signed and auctioned off for a collective £29,613, which was then matched by the club’s board.
Hammers captain Jarrod Bowen said: “It’s been special to see the West Ham family and the wider football community come together in support of Mic over the last month.
“We are all grateful for the care that both the NHS and Air Ambulances UK have given to Mic during a challenging time for him and his family.
“And for what they continue to do every single day for people around the country.
“Pulling together during difficult times is what being a part of West Ham United is all about and on behalf of the team I want to thank everyone for helping us to raise an incredible amount of money for two great causes.”
