Michail Antonio made his return to competitive football on Monday evening, turning out for Jamaica in their unexpected CONCACAF Gold Cup loss to Guatemala. It marked his first appearance since a severe car crash in December that left his future in doubt.
The 35-year-old was included in Jamaica’s squad for this summer’s tournament in the United States and Canada. He was introduced as a substitute late in the second half, playing the final five minutes of the match. Jamaica’s 1-0 defeat came as a shock, with Guatemala currently ranked significantly lower in the FIFA standings.
Antonio had not featured in any match since West Ham’s Premier League game against Leicester City on December 3. Although still under contract with the London club, his deal is set to expire at the end of June. West Ham has not yet made a definitive decision on his status, stating they will wait for the appropriate time before making any announcement.
Life-threatening accident and long road to recovery
Antonio’s absence from football followed a crash in early December when his car veered off the road and collided with a tree in Epping Forest, Essex. The incident left him with a shattered femur, requiring surgery and an extended hospital stay that lasted until New Year’s Eve 2024.
He spent the Christmas period recovering from the operation and remained under medical supervision for several weeks. The severity of his injuries raised doubts about whether he would ever be able to play again, especially given his age.
In March, Antonio spoke publicly about the crash for the first time. He suggested poor weather during Storm Darragh may have contributed to the loss of control, explaining that the vehicle had felt unstable in previous days. He had owned the car for just three weeks and had already considered returning it.
Reflection and the reality of survival
Antonio recalled that others told him he had been conscious and responsive at the scene, speaking to emergency services and witnesses. However, he has no memory of those moments. Emergency crews extracted him from the wreckage and fitted a splint to his broken leg on-site.
He was not airlifted, as initially believed. Due to storm conditions, the helicopter was grounded, and he was transported to hospital by road. When he later viewed the wrecked vehicle, he was struck by the true extent of the damage. Though he had seen images before, seeing it in person deeply unsettled him.
“It just made me realise how close I was to dying,” he said, reflecting on how drastically things could have ended. The experience has left a lasting impact on Antonio, who now continues his career after an ordeal that nearly ended his life.
