Ex-West Ham forward Michail Antonio: Had to 'swallow ego' to find new club

Former West Ham forward Michail Antonio has detailed his ordeal in finding a club following his car accident in 2024, and said he had to put his ego aside to seal a return to action.

The Jamaica international has joined Qatari side Al-Sailiya on a short-term deal until the summer after being released by West Ham in August last year.

Antonio hadn't played for the east London club in the eight months prior to his exit following his road accident. The collision left him with multiple fractures in his leg and in the time since he was only made three appearances competitively (all of them for Jamaica).

The 35-year-old left West Ham as their top scorer in the Premier League with 68 goals, but finding his next destination proved a struggle.

"I've still got the qualities I had in the Premier League for the past 10 years," Antonio said in an interview to BBC. "It shows, because every single manager was putting a contract in front of me once I trained with them.

"But there were managers and clubs who refused to look at me because of what happened -- the accident, the injury. Some owners went against it. In football, the manager can want you, but it's the owner's money.

- West Ham's Nuno Espirito Santo issues rallying cry: 'We are in the fight'

- Chelsea and West Ham fined after 'mass confrontation'

"My agent kept calling clubs, and the same thing happened -- clubs wanted me to train first. With the ego I had, I said 'I'm not coming to train. You've seen me play with Jamaica, you've seen my past 10 years. I shouldn't have to train to get a contract.' Clubs said 'iIf you don't train, we won't sign you'.

"After staying at West Ham, training with the under-21s and going away with Jamaica again, my agent said 'you're going to have to train, prove your fitness.'

"I had to swallow my ego -- that's how I ended up at Brentford. I trained with them for two weeks."

He was set to join with the Bees, but ended up tearing his calf on the day before signing. Antonio spoke of "crying" and how he "laid in bed for two days" after the transfer fell through.

A move to Leicester City was on the cards, but he said the club pulled out of the deal as "they didn't want a relapse on their books."

After a brief period training at Charlton Athletic, he opted for a move to Al-Sailiya until the end of the season.

"Whatever happens in the summer, happens," he said.

"I need to focus on the first goal, playing games and being fit. If I stay fit, I'll perform and score goals. I feel like the best possibility of staying fit is out here rather than playing Tuesdays and Saturdays."

Click here to read article