Michail Antonio has opened up on the next step he plans to take in his footballing career after leaving West Ham as a free agent – eight months after the forward was involved in a potentially life-altering car accident.
The Jamaica international was driving through Epping Forest last December when he lost control of his Ferrari and crashed into a tree.
The 35-year-old had to be cut loose by emergency services after being trapped in the wreckage for more than 45 minutes.
After being taken hospital, Antonio learned that his leg was badly broken, with his femur shattering in four places.
But after an impressive recovery that saw him training just four months after the collision, Antonio and his club took the decision not to extend his deal after the two parties were unable to agree on new terms.
Antonio has been adamant that he wants to return to competitive top-flight action and continue his career, but remains without a club during this transfer window.
Michail Antonio has shared details on the future of his on-pitch career after leaving West Ham
The forward first joined the east London club 10 years ago and became a lynchpin in the side
The star has even pivoted to punditry roles, stepping onto the other side of the microphone during coverage of Sunday’s Community Shield match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace.
However, during a recent interview, the forward revealed that there are plans afoot to change that, with Antonio sharing that a number of clubs had discussed offers with him.
‘No, definitely not,’ Antonio told talkSPORT when asked if he would be focusing on media duties full-time.
‘I’m speaking to clubs right now to see where the best offer is for me to go, and we’ll just see how it goes.
‘To be honest, there’s a mixture, we’re talking to clubs here, we’re talking to clubs abroad, but I’m going to leave it very vague – talk to clubs in England and abroad.’
Antonion added that it was his aim ‘100 per cent’ to feature for his country at next year’s 2026 World Cup in north America.
‘That’s one thing I’ve not managed to achieve for myself, to be playing in the World Cup, and Jamaica are very close to it.’
But, Antonio continued, ‘it’s not just that, I just wouldn’t want my career to come to an end by a car crash, literally.
‘So I’ve got something to prove to show that I can come back, I can come back and play well, which I was doing for the last 10 years.
‘Even before I did the car crash, I was starting for West Ham, so it shows I’ve still got that ability about me and I can do it again.’
A squad veteran, Antonio was a lynchpin in the dressing room and on the pitch for the Hammers, playing a key role in their winning of the inaugural Europa Conference League title.
Since his dangerous car crash, Antonio has been in recovery and taken up punditry roles
But Antonio is eager to return to the pitch in an effort not to see his career ended prematurely
Antonio leaves West Ham having made 323 appearances for the east London side since joining 10 years ago.
During that time, the player scored 83 goals and registered a further 43 assists for the Hammers.
Should Antonio make it to the World Cup at the end of this season, he could play alongside former England starlet Mason Greenwood.
The ex-Manchester United star is believed to have acquired a Jamaican passport amid the process of possibly switching allegiances to the Reggae Boyz.
Greenwood was told his playing for England again was ‘not a consideration’ by former manager Gareth Southgate, following his 18-month hiatus from club football after he was arrested on suspicion of attempted rape, assault, and controlling and coercive behaviour in January 2022.
Charges against Greenwood were dropped by Crown Prosecution Services in February 2023, but after a six-month internal investigation carried out by United, it was agreed between both parties that he would never feature for his boyhood club again. Greenwood now plays for Ligue 1 side Marseille.