MICHAIL ANTONIO is starting his first match after nearly dying in a horror car crash.
The 35-year-old has been named in the Under-21s starting XI for their pre-season friendly against Boreham Wood tonight.
Antonio is lucky to be alive after in December and being rushed to hospital.
The striker sustained a broken leg and had to learn how to walk again in rehab.
He has been determined to get back on the pitch throughout and he as a substitute for his country Jamaica in a Gold Cup match just six months after the accident.
was unable to make a first-team appearance for West Ham last season and his contract expired in June.
Despite talks over an extension, a new deal has not been agreed.
Antonio is currently a free agent but has been continuing his recovery with West Ham.
The Hammers confirmed: “Our Premier League record goalscorer Michail Antonio will feature this evening as he continues his journey back to full fitness.
“Michail is being supported by the club as he builds on progress made with Jamaica at this summer’s Gold Cup. Good luck Micky.”
Opening up on his crash, an emotional Antonio told the Beast Mode On Podcast with Adebayo Akinfenwa : “What’s crazy about it, everybody in the world experienced that crash more than me.
“Even though I was in it, I didn’t live it because I don’t remember anything about it.
“I , I don’t remember being in the hospital, I don’t remember going in for the operation, I don’t remember coming out of the operation.
“There were loads of emotions coming through, my body remembers stuff even though my mind doesn’t.
“What I’ve learnt from the car crash is‘s important, but your health is more important.”
He added: “I was in Dubai with my kids, my daughter loves Beyonce, [and the song] I Was Here.
“I’ve listened to it so many times but since the car crash, I listened to it and I was just sitting there, in a room with my kids but I’ve gone into a corner and I was crying.
“Those words, when you’ve been through what I’ve been through, when you’ve nearly died. When I was listening to it, I’ve gone.
“Now I’m at that stage where I’m going to bring myself happiness. I’m going to do whatever needs to be done.
“As much as the crash was a curse, it was also a blessing. It’s brought so many things to light and made me more focused and driven to do what needs to be done.”
West Ham legend Antonio was officially with the club for ten years and he played 323 times, scoring 83 goals and winning the Conference League in 2023.
THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..
