Michail Antonio: 'Miracle' West Ham striker OK after car crash

  • Antonio suffered lower leg fracture after crashing Ferrari in extreme weather conditions
  • The 34-year-old continuing recovery in hospital
  • West Ham players to visit Antonio over weekend, Julen Lopetegui provides update
Michail Antonio sustained serious injuries in a car crash
Michail Antonio sustained serious injuries in a car crash / Visionhaus/GettyImages
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West Ham United head coach Julen Lopetegui says it is a "miracle" that Michail Antonio escaped a car crash without more serious injuries.

The 34-year-old, who had to be cut out of the wreckage of his Ferrari, has undergone surgery on a lower leg fracture and remains in hospital as he begins a long rehabilitation process from other injuries.

The Hammers paid tribute to Antonio before Monday's vitally important 2-1 win over Wolves, with the players all wearing shirts bearing his name as they warmed up. Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen then celebrated their goals by referencing West Ham's number nine.

Speaking ahead of the Hammers' trip to Bournemouth for another Monday night fixture, Lopetegui revealed his players would be visiting Antonio in hospital and commented on the severity of the accident.

"We are going to visit him today or tomorrow,” Lopetegui confirmed. "But the main thing is we are very happy because he is recovering very well. We are very close to him and his family and we wish him the best for the next days.

"The best news about Michail Antonio was that he was able to talk with us before the [Wolves] match.

"Looking at the car crash, it was one miracle [it was not more serious], so we are happy for him. Now for sure he is strong, he is recovering himself in the next months to be a man first and then a player."

Antonio is West Ham's record goalscorer in the Premier League, having notched 68 goals in 268 appearances for the club, and has been at the club for nine years after joining in September 2015 in a deal worth around £7m.


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