Michail Antonio sent a supportive message to his West Ham team-mates before their huge Premier League clash with Wolves as he recovers from a terrifying car crash.
Antonio, 34, is still in hospital after being involved in a car crash on Saturday.
The forward, who is West Ham’s all-time leading goalscorer in the Premier League, underwent surgery on a lower limb fracture on Sunday.
Antonio is yet to speak out after the terrifying ordeal in which he crashed his Ferrari but spoke to his West Ham team-mates before they faced Wolves on Monday night.
Hammers midfielder Tomas Soucek, who scored in West Ham’s crucial 2-1 win, said Antonio wished his team-mates good luck and was in good spirits, making jokes on the video call from his hospital bed.
Soucek told Sportblast: ‘It was for him. I dedicate it to him. I really wanted to score today, he’s my favourite since I came here. It was tough for me to play without him.
‘I am happy that he is feeling fine and he is supporting us. He’s really in our heart. It was really tough.
West Ham United players wear the shirt of team-mate Michail Antonio before the Premier League match at the London Stadium, London. West Ham forward Michail Antonio has undergone surgery on a lower-limb fracture following a road traffic accident on Saturday. Photo. single club/league/player publications.
West Ham showed their support to Antonio (Picture: PA)
‘I was with the kids and I saw the info on my phone, I messaged everyone I could to see how he is. I wished him all the best but I was so scared.
‘It was a really tough few days and even more for him and his family. We also saw him before the game, we had a video call before the game.
‘I was so happy, he smiled and he gave us all the best. I was so happy. I can’t wait to visit him.
‘He’s a lovely guy and funny so he even made a few jokes. He wished us all the best. He’s one of our best-ever players, I can’t wait to visit him. Hopefully he will be back with us soon.’
A West Ham United’s fan holds up a shirt of West Ham United’s English forward #09 Michail Antonio during a tribute following his car accident, prior to the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Wolverhapton Wanderers at the London Stadium, in London on December 9, 2024. West Ham said forward Michail Antonio has undergone surgery on a lower limb fracture after a serious car accident on December 7, 2024.
Antonio crashed his car over the weekend (Picture: X)
‘These are more important things, the person, the dad, the brother. We are happy because he overcame the surgery that he had yesterday.’
In a statement released before the Premier League fixture, West Ham said: ‘Michail remains in everyone’s thoughts as he continues his rehabilitation.
‘Everyone at the club would like to reiterate their heartfelt thanks to the first responders, emergency services, air ambulance staff and the NHS for the incredible support given to Michail in the wake of the accident.
‘Ahead of Monday’s Premier League fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers, which kicks-off at 8pm, the players will warm-up in special ‘Antonio 9’ shirts, as well as walking out in tops adorning the striker’s name.
‘The Club will auction off the walk-out tops, with each one signed by every member of the squad, including Michail.
