West Ham release Antonio eight months after crash

 

Michail Antonio has officially ended his time as a first-team player at West Ham United, closing the chapter on a remarkable 10-year spell. The 35-year-old forward made 323 appearances for the Hammers, scoring 83 goals and becoming the club's all-time top scorer in the Premier League with 68 goals from 268 top-flight games. He played a crucial role in West Ham’s success, including starting in the 2023 UEFA Conference League final, which brought the club its first major trophy in over four decades. Antonio joined the club from Nottingham Forest in 2015 for £7 million and was later named Hammer of the Year during West Ham’s debut season at the London Stadium in 2016–17. However, he has not featured at senior level since a serious car crash in December 2024 that nearly cost him his life. West Ham manager Graham Potter recently confirmed during a pre-season trip to Atlanta that Antonio would not be part of the squad for the 2025–26 season. While he did appear for Jamaica at the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup and featured in a pre-season game for the Under-21s, his first-team career at the club has now come to an end

Although Michail Antonio will no longer be part of the West Ham senior team, the club is in active talks with him about taking on a new role within the academy. Discussions are ongoing and could lead to a coaching or mentoring position, allowing Antonio to remain closely connected with the club. West Ham released a statement saying Antonio "will always be a much-loved and respected member of the West Ham United family" and confirmed they will continue supporting his rehabilitation following his accident last December. The club has offered him continued access to its training facilities, medical care, and other forms of assistance during his recovery. Antonio’s presence has been felt both on and off the pitch, and the move into a potential off-field role reflects his importance beyond his playing contributions. His leadership, experience, and long-standing commitment to the Hammers could become an invaluable asset to the club’s younger generation. Antonio also showed his passion for football this summer by making three appearances for Jamaica at the Concacaf Gold Cup and recently playing for West Ham’s Under-21s in a friendly at Boreham Wood. His next steps may mark the beginning of a new chapter, possibly guiding the next wave of talent coming through the West Ham academy.

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