Michail Antonio Undergoes Surgery After Car Crash

West Ham United striker Michail Antonio has undergone surgery for a lower limb fracture sustained in a car crash on Saturday, the club announced. Antonio, 34, remains under hospital care, where he will be closely monitored in the coming days.

The accident occurred in Epping, Essex, where Antonio was extracted from his vehicle and transported to a central London hospital. West Ham confirmed he is in a stable condition, “conscious and communicating.”

Antonio, a key figure for the Hammers and their all-time leading Premier League scorer with 68 goals in 268 appearances, has been a crucial player this season, featuring in all 14 league matches.

In a statement, West Ham expressed gratitude to emergency services and the football community for their overwhelming support:
“Everyone at the club wishes Michail a speedy recovery and sincerely thanks the football family for their kindness during this time.”

The Essex County Fire and Rescue Service reported that calls about the crash, involving a Ferrari, came in at 13:02 GMT, with Antonio being freed from the car by 13:45. Essex Police are investigating the incident and have appealed for witnesses or dashcam footage.

Messages of support have poured in from across the football world. Clubs such as Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City responded to West Ham’s statement, while former teams Southampton, Reading, Sheffield Wednesday, and Colchester extended their best wishes. Jamaica manager Steve McClaren also expressed solidarity on behalf of Antonio’s national teammates, saying: