“I’ve spent so many years taking life for granted”

West Ham striker Michail Antonio has spoken publicly for the first time since being involved in a life-threatening car accident that left him in hospital for more than three weeks.

Antonio crashed into a tree during a ride in Essex on December 7 and was airlifted to a London hospital where he underwent surgery on a broken leg the following day. The player spent Christmas under treatment and under observation but he was he was finally discharged on New Year’s Eve.

Now, Antonio has taken a moment to thank those who have supported and helped him, as well as express a new gratitude for life given his ordeal.

“Every year around this time, I’m asked what I’m thankful for, and every year I struggle to find the right words. But this year, I know exactly what I’m thankful for: being alive,” he said. said in a statement published by Official West Ham website.

“I want to take a moment to acknowledge something I realized – I’ve spent so many years taking life for granted. I made plans for the next day, the next year, always assuming that tomorrow was guaranteed. I saw close friends die, I saw others face near-death experiences, and even then, I didn’t fully understand how precious life is.

“What I’ve been through recently has opened my eyes. Life is fragile and every moment counts. I’m so grateful to God for giving me the strength to carry on and for allowing me to still be here.

“To the emergency services, the NHS, the Air Ambulance, everyone at the Royal London and Cromwell Hospitals and everyone from top to bottom at West Ham United FC. The medical team, the board, all the staff, my teammates and the amazing West Ham fans… I honestly couldn’t have got through this without you. thank you from the bottom of my heart. To my loved ones who stood by me through it all, I can’t express how much you mean to me.

“Finally, to the whole football community, thank you for all the love and support you’ve shown me. It really means the world. I love you all and I’m infinitely grateful to each and every one of you.

“Happy New Year – and I’ll be back on this pitch soon.”

West Ham raised almost £60,000 to donate to the NHS and Air Ambulance charities in honor of Antonio’s treatment by auctioning off match-worn shirts and then matching the amount.

READ THE LATEST PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS, RUMORS & GOSSIP