West Ham’s Michail Antonio has surgery on broken leg following car crash

Michail Antonio is likely to be sidelined for a minimum of a year following surgery to repair a broken leg he suffered in a serious car accident on Saturday afternoon.

Antonio, who was flown to the hospital following a crash in his Ferrari in Epping, is looking at a lengthy recovery process after undergoing surgery yesterday. It's uncertain whether the 34-year-old’s injuries will lead him to retire from football. However, it seems highly likely that he won't be able to play again this season, and there are concerns that the most optimistic outcome could involve at least a year of rehab.

A representative from West Ham stated: “We can confirm that Michail Antonio has had surgery for a fracture in his leg due to a traffic incident that occurred on Saturday afternoon. He will remain under observation in the hospital for the next few days.”

The entire club is hoping for Michail's quick recovery and wants to sincerely thank everyone in the football community for the incredible support they've received since yesterday's announcement. We also want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to the emergency responders who helped Michail right after the incident, as well as the medical staff who are continuing to support him in his recovery. We will share more updates when the time is right.

West Ham, set to face Wolves in the Premier League tonight, announced on Saturday evening that Antonio is stable, awake, and able to communicate.

Essex police announced: "Officers looking into a serious accident in Epping are seeking information from witnesses and any dash cam recordings. We received a call just after 12:50 PM on Saturday, December 7, regarding a reported single vehicle crash involving a Ferrari on Coppice Row, Epping. Emergency services responded, and the driver has been transported to a hospital. The car has been removed, and we have cleared the area."

Antonio transferred to West Ham from Nottingham Forest in 2015 and quickly won over the fans. He has netted 83 goals in 323 matches for the team and played a key role in their victory in the Europa Conference League in 2023.