My Accident Did Not Reduce My Quality – Michail Antonio

Former West Ham forward Michail Antonio has come out to detail how his life has been since his tragic car accident in 2024. He recently had his say while speaking to the press, and fans have been reacting.

According to him, after previously declining requests to train at different clubs and prove his fitness to managers and owners, he eventually had to swallow his pride and remind doubters of his quality.

Antonio added that he had to join Qatari side Al-Sailiya on a short-term deal until the summer to keep his career going.

His words, “I’ve still got the qualities I had in the Premier League for the past 10 years.

It shows, because every single manager was putting a contract in front of me once I trained with them.

But there were managers and clubs who refused to look at me because of what happened — the accident, the injury. Some owners went against it. In football, the manager can want you, but it’s the owner’s money.

My agent kept calling clubs, and the same thing happened — clubs wanted me to train first. With the ego I had, I said ‘I’m not coming to train. You’ve seen me play with Jamaica, you’ve seen my past 10 years. I shouldn’t have to train to get a contract.’ Clubs said ‘iIf you don’t train, we won’t sign you’.

After staying at West Ham, training with the under-21s and going away with Jamaica again, my agent said ‘you’re going to have to train, prove your fitness.’

I had to swallow my ego — that’s how I ended up at Brentford. I trained with them for two weeks.

Whatever happens in the summer, happens.

I need to focus on the first goal, playing games and being fit. If I stay fit, I’ll perform and score goals. I feel like the best possibility of staying fit is out here rather than playing Tuesdays and Saturdays.”

WOW.