Michail Antonio underwent surgery after his Ferrari collided with a tree
Extent of his recovery period is not known but he suffered serious limb damage
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By DANIEL DAVIS
Published: 11:57 EST, 9 December 2024 | Updated: 11:57 EST, 9 December 2024
Michail Antonio dropped a past hint over his potential next career move - with the West Ham forward recovering in hospital after a horror car crash.
Antonio, 34, had to be cut free from his £260,000 Ferrari after it collided with a tree in Essex on Saturday and he later underwent surgery on a fractured leg.
The crash, which occurred in Epping Forest, saw Antonio end up his passenger seat and he was trapped for more than 45 minutes while fire crews attempted to free him.
West Ham confirmed on Saturday night that he was in a stable condition.
However, a report from The Guardian has claimed that the player could face 'at least a year' in rehabilitation before any return to action. It also states that there are fears over whether Antonio could be forced to retire from football due to his injuries.
TalkSPORT presenter Jim White revealed that Antonio faces at least 12 months before discovering whether he'll be able to play again.
West Ham forward Michail Antonio is recovering in hospital after a horror car crash
Photos have emerged of a smashed Ferrari, reportedly showing the aftermath of the incident
Another image appears to show the Antonio's smashed up vehicle in Essex
An infectious personality, Antonio previously revealed he has ambitions to enter the showbiz industry after he hangs up his boots, and wants to host his own shows.
He currently presents a BBC podcast alongside fellow Premier League star Callum Wilson, called The Footballer's Football Podcast.
Asked recently by Gary Lineker on the Rest is Football podcast on his future plans and ideal role, Antonio joked: 'I want your job!'
He added: 'To be fair I don't want to go into punditry, I want to go into entertainment.
'So more on the basis of A League of Their Own, Play to the Whistle... I want Micah's [Richards] job!'
As reported by The Sun, Antonio's first words following the crash were: 'Where am I? What's going on? What car am I in?'
Samuel Woods was driving home after walking his dog and saw the smashed car.
Woods told The Sun: 'I said to him "hello" to see if anyone was alive. I heard sirens and told him that help was on its way.
Antonio previously made a guest appearance on Sky's A League of Their Own
He also presents a BBC podcast alongside fellow top-flight star Callum Wilson
Antonio was a member of the West Ham side that won the 2022 Europa Conference League
'He was so disorientated. He said, "Where am I? What's going on? What car am I in?"
'The paramedics got there really fast. I couldn't believe what happened.'
Woods stated that Antonio wasn't able to make sense of what he had heard.
Woods said: 'I looked at him and thought, "He's in big trouble".
'I just said, "You've had an accident". He didn't reply. He was looking around trying to make sense of what I just said. He was sitting in the passenger side.'
Essex Police confirmed they were launching an investigation into the incident and called for witnesses to help their investigation.
'We were called shortly after 12.50pm on Saturday 7 December to Coppice Row, Epping, following reports of what is believed to be a single vehicle collision involving a Ferrari,' a spokesperson said.
'Emergency services attended and the driver has been taken to hospital. The vehicle has been recovered and we are no longer on scene.
'An investigation will be carried out by our Roads Policing Unit.
'If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.'
Michail Antonio