Paul Merson Shares Message for West Ham Star Michail Antonio After Incident

The 34-year-old was involved in a road traffic accident on December 7.

While he is in stable condition, the timeline for the striker’s return to football remains uncertain.

Paul Merson expressed his admiration for the Jamaican forward and his “unbelievable” career at the London Stadium.

Merson also shared his hopes for Michail Antonio’s recovery as West Ham considers extending his contract [The Times, December 9].

In his Sportskeeda column on December 12, Merson wrote: “Michail Antonio, I just want to say I’m really glad you got out of that car alive.

That looked really scary, and it’s going to be a battle for him to return to the pitch now.

“If he plays again, it’s an absolute bonus, but the main thing is that he got out alive.

He’s had a great career—what an unbelievable player for West Ham.

He works on his own mostly, puts in a shift every single game, and no defender would ever want to go up against him on his day. I wish him well.”

Antonio has been a dedicated servant to West Ham for years, making a remarkable transition from full-back to striker.

Since joining the Irons from Nottingham Forest in 2015, he has demonstrated exceptional versatility.

During the 2020/21 season, Antonio shone brightly, scoring 10 goals and providing five assists in the Premier League while excelling as a number nine.

Over the years, he has been a dependable player for numerous West Ham managers and continues to play a pivotal role under Julen Lopetegui.

Although Antonio’s goal-scoring form has waned, his relentless work ethic and off-the-ball efforts remain commendable, setting a high standard for younger players.

Many expected his minutes to decline following Niclas Fullkrug’s arrival, but the German striker’s fitness challenges have kept Antonio central to the team’s plans this season.

His absence will be a significant loss for West Ham, leaving the Irons with a crucial gap to fill during the January transfer window.