West Ham forward Michail Antonio is now back home after a terrifying car accident left him hospitalised over Christmas.
The 34-year-old spent almost three weeks in hospital after crashing his £260,000 Ferrari on December 7 and being airlifted to hospital. Express Sport understands Antonio was discharged last week, just after Christmas Day.
He suffered a broken leg in the horrific smash near Theydon Bois in Essex. His West Ham team-mates faced an anxious wait for updates on his condition after worrying pictures of the totalled supercar circulated online.
Antonio was trapped inside for 45 minutes in the immediate aftermath of the accident. He was soon confirmed to be conscious and communicating, albeit with a devastating leg break which is set to keep him sidelined for at least a year.
The former Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest star underwent surgery on the night of the crash, which occurred on his way home from West Ham’s Rush Green training facility.
Antonio’s contract is due to expire at the end of the season, and talks with the Hammers about possibly extending the deal to cover his recuperation will reportedly take place soon.
West Ham players warmed up wearing commemorative shirts before their home win over Wolves, which took place two days after Antonio’s crash. Those shirts, along with the players’ match-worn jerseys, were auctioned off to raise just shy of £60,000, which has been split between the NHS and Air Ambulance UK Charity.
Jarrod Bowen’s shirt raised more than £3,000 on its own, and the Hammers captain paid tribute to the two organisations for their involvement in helping Antonio.
“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,” he said. “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.”
