Michail Antonio: Ex-West Ham forward on move to Qatar side Al‑Sailiya
BBC World
March 2, 2026
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Michail Antonio, the former West Ham forward, has joined Qatari club Al-Sailiya after a near-fatal car crash left him with multiple leg fractures. Speaking to BBC Sport, Antonio revealed that he had to "swallow his ego" after English clubs hesitated to sign him due to concerns over his recovery from the accident. Despite returning to competitive action with Jamaica in June, finding a new club proved challenging as managers and owners were reluctant to take financial risks linked to his injury history.
Antonio, who remains passionate about West Ham, expressed disappointment over not even being considered for a substitute appearance in a pre-season friendly before his exit in August 2023. He emphasized that he still possesses the same qualities that made him a Premier League standout, scoring 68 goals in 323 games for West Ham. However, after turning down opportunities to train with clubs like Brentford and Leicester City, Antonio eventually had to prove his fitness through rigorous training sessions.
The 35-year-old’s journey back to football has been marked by mental resilience and perseverance. Following the crash, which occurred in Storm Darragh in December 2024, Antonio underwent a grueling recovery process, including learning to walk and run again. He described the emotional toll of the incident, noting that his family felt its impact more profoundly than he did due to his memory loss from the accident.
Antonio’s move to Qatar represents a fresh start in his career, with Al-Sailiya offering
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Originally published on BBC World on 3/2/2026