West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen has voiced his confidence that Michail Antonio will emerge “stronger” from the horrific car crash he was involved in. The news of Antonio’s involvement in a serious road accident in Theydon Bois, Essex, left the club fearing the worst, but by Saturday evening, West Ham confirmed that the 34-year-old striker was in a stable condition, conscious, and able to communicate. Antonio has since undergone surgery for a broken leg but still faces a lengthy hospital stay to recover from multiple injuries, according to reports.
Bowen spoke emotionally about the impact of the news on the team, telling Sky Sports, “It’s one of those things you never think will happen. Everyone loves Mich; he’s a huge personality. Waiting for news on Saturday was incredibly difficult for all of us. He’s not just a teammate—he’s a close friend and a father to his wonderful children. The support he’s received has been overwhelming, and as captain, I’ve seen it all. I want to thank everyone for their messages.”
Bowen highlighted the importance of perspective in such a situation, saying, “Football is just a small part of life, and the most important thing is that Mich is safe and well enough to share his story. Saturday was an emotional day, but Mich is a fighter, and I’m certain he’ll come back stronger.”
Manager Julen Lopetegui expressed his relief, describing Antonio’s survival as nothing short of a “miracle,” considering the severity of the crash. “The key thing here is Mich as a person—the father, the son, and the teammate that he is. He’s undergone surgery, and now we’ll monitor his recovery. We’ve spoken with him today, and despite the pain, we’re happy to see he’s in good spirits.”
To show their support, West Ham’s players wore Antonio’s ‘Antonio 9’ shirts during the warm-up before their match against Wolves on Monday. The shirts, which will be signed by the players, including Antonio, will be auctioned, with proceeds going to the NHS and Air Ambulances UK.
The club has also extended its heartfelt thanks to the emergency responders, air ambulance staff, and NHS personnel who assisted Antonio after the accident. West Ham vice-chair Karren Brady, speaking in the House of Lords on Monday, expressed her shock upon hearing about the crash. She added, “I’m relieved to report that Michail is recovering well after surgery, and I’d like to offer my thanks to all the emergency services, especially the firefighters who helped free him from the wreckage.”
