Mikaeil Antonio makes emotional return to West Ham after serious car accident

Mikaeil Antonio (35, West Ham United) met with fans for the first time at home since his car accident.

The Premier League (PL) reported on its official website on the 11th (Korean time) that "Antonio made an emotional return to London Stadium ahead of the kickoff against Newcastle. He returned to the stadium three months after suffering a serious car accident and received a warm welcome."

West Ham lost 0-1 to Newcastle United in the 28th round of the 2024-2025 season PL held at London Stadium in London, England, on the 11th. With this, West Ham remained in 16th place with 33 points (9 wins, 6 draws, and 13 losses).

Although the match ended in defeat, it was a significant day for West Ham fans. This was because Antonio, who had a serious accident last December, visited London Stadium after a long time and greeted the fans.

The PL explained that "Antonio made an emotional return to London Stadium ahead of the kickoff against Newcastle. West Ham fans held up a large banner reading 'Mikaeil Antonio - Our No. 9' to welcome Antonio, the club's all-time leading scorer in PL history (68 goals). He appeared visibly moved."

The PL also added, "The result did not go as West Ham wished. However, it was a heartwarming moment for the fans and manager Graham Potter to reunite with Antonio at London Stadium."

Antonio is a forward who has made his name in West Ham history. Known for his remarkable physicality, he left Nottingham Forest in 2015 to don the West Ham jersey, and since then has scored 83 goals in 323 matches. Antonio holds the club record for the most goals in PL alone with 68 goals in 268 matches.

However, Antonio nearly lost his life in a serious car accident about three months ago. He skidded on a wet road last December and crashed heavily into a tree in Hayden, Essex. It is reported that it took almost an hour for firefighters to extricate Antonio from the accident scene.

At the time, Britain's 'The Sun' reported that "Antonio was trapped in the wrecked Ferrari for almost an hour after the crash before being transferred to a hospital. He had to escape from the wreckage of the £260,000 (about 488 million won) Ferrari due to the horrific car accident."

In fact, looking at the accident photos, the vehicle Antonio was in was completely wrecked. The passenger side, which is presumed to have collided with the tree, was destroyed to the point that it was difficult to recognize its original shape. Just by looking at the debris scattered around, one can guess how severe the impact was.

Fortunately, his life was not in danger. West Ham announced, "We inform you that Antonio is in stable condition. He is conscious and able to communicate. He is currently receiving close care at a London hospital. We ask that everyone respect Antonio's and his family’s privacy during this difficult time."

However, Antonio had to undergo surgery for a fractured leg. He injured both legs, and it is reported that his femur (the thigh bone between the pelvis and knee) was fractured. Because of this, he needs over a year of rehabilitation and concerns were raised that he might have to retire.

The surgery was completed successfully. Antonio shared a photo using crutches on social media a day before January 1, 2025, and left a message about his discharge. He remarked, "Every year around this time, I ask what I am grateful for, and I struggle to find the right words. But this year, I know exactly what I am grateful for. It is simply being alive."

Antonio also said, "The recent events have opened my eyes. Life is fragile, and every moment is important. I thank God for giving me the strength to keep going and for allowing me to still be here. I am grateful for all the love and support shown by the entire football community. That truly meant the world. I love you all and offer my infinite thanks. I wish you all the best in the new year. I will return to the pitch soon."

Now, Antonio is preparing to return to the pitch, leaving the terrible memories behind. He publicly showcased his rehabilitation training program in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), last month. He has reportedly shown positive and steady progress while exercising in the warm weather.

Antonio, who greeted fans at London Stadium. The West Ham supporters' alliance stated, "After learning that Antonio would soon return to the pitch, we started crowdfunding. We achieved this in cooperation with the club. We are very grateful to all the fans who helped the West Ham family show how much he means to us."

Manager Potter also sent a message of encouragement to Antonio. He noted, "We have always focused on checking in on Antonio to make sure he is okay. He is recovering and is certainly receiving all the support he needs. He had to deal with a significant challenge, but he has done so fantastically."

Additionally, Manager Potter stated, "Due to the severity of the injury and accident, it is important to spend the necessary time with the medical staff. I do not wish to set a timeline for his return just yet. Antonio's recovery is moving in the right direction. We are not rushing it, but it is certainly positive."

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