MICHAIL ANTONIO admits he has NO recollection of the awful crash that almost took his life.
The West Ham legend smashed his Ferrari into a tree last December – leaving him with a serious lower leg fracture and lucky to be alive.
He was airlifted to hospital and rushed into surgery and spent the rest of the season fighting to get back on his feet.
Antonio, 35, spent three weeks in hospital as he began his recovery.
But the striker revealed he cannot remember it.
Speaking on the Beast Mode On Podcast with Adebayo Akinfenwa, Antonio said: “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 don’t remember the crash, 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 football’s important, but your health is more important.”
Following the accident, Antonio was adamant he would play football again.
And he finally made his big comeback in June, playing as a substitute for Jamaica in the Gold Cup group stage, losing to Guatemala in California.
Now Antonio says he has tried to find the positives from the accident, insisting “the crash was also a blessing”.
And he revealed a tearful moment listening to a Beyonce song with his kids helped change his perspective.
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.”
Antonio is the Hammers’ all-time top scorer in the Premier League, having scored 68 goals in 268 games.
His contract with the club expired on 30th June but he hopes to continue playing.
West Ham confirmed last month that Antonio will be listed as a free transfer but stressed they remain fully behind him during his comeback.
A statement read: “Given Michail Antonio’s unique situation following his serious road traffic accident.
“There will be no formal decision on his future until such time that it is considered right and appropriate.
“As a long-serving, highly-respected player and a much-loved member of the West Ham family.
“The club’s absolute priority is to support Michail personally in his journey to resume playing at the highest level.”
Read the full article here