Michail Antonio in free transfer talks after West Ham exit and targeting World Cup 2026 despite horror car crash
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
MICHAIL ANTONIO revealed he is in talks with various clubs after ending his 10-year stint with West Ham.
Antonio, 35, became a free agent having been released by the Hammers eight months after a horror car crash that saw him breaking his leg in four places.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
2
Michail Antonio revealed he is in talks with various clubs after leaving West Ham
Credit: REUTERS/Tony Obrien
2
Antonio became a free agent eight months after a horror car crash
Credit: AP Photo/Dave Shopland
On December 7, the versatile forward was driving through Epping Forest during stormy weather when he lost control of his £260,000 Ferrari and crashed into a tree.
But the Jamaica international returned to action in June for his national team during the Gold Cup and has turned out for West Ham's Under-21s.
And Antonio returned to the fold as a pundit for Sunday's Community Shield between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Wembley where he insisted his playing days are far from over.
The former Nottingham Forest star confirmed he is talking to a "mixture" of clubs both in England and abroad.
The Jamaican star insists he has a lot left in the tank, so much so that he is targeting the 2026 World Cup which would see him competing in the esteemed competition for the first time ever.
Antonio told talkSPORT when asked if his new punditry role means we have seen the last of him on the pitch: "No, definitely not.
'I'm speaking to clubs right now to see where the best offer is for me to go, and we'll just see how it goes.
'To be honest, there's a mixture, we're talking to clubs here, we're talking to clubs abroad, but I'm going to leave it very vague - talk to clubs in England and abroad.
CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
'Indeed, 100 per cent [it's an aim to play in the US in 2026]. That's one thing I've not managed to achieve for myself, to be playing in the World Cup, and Jamaica are very close to it.
'It's not just that, I just wouldn't want my career to come to an end by a car crash, literally.
Michail Antonio admits he doesn't remember anything from horror crash that almost killed West Ham legend
'So I've got something to prove to show that I can come back, I can come back and play well, which I was doing for the last 10 years.
'Even before I did the car crash, I was starting for West Ham, so it shows that I've still got the ability about me and I can do it again"
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leader Live
20 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Premier League matches to be preceded by silence in memory of Diogo Jota
The league has spoken to Liverpool about the most appropriate way to remember the Portuguese star, who was killed in a car crash alongside his brother on July 3 in Spain. As well as a period of silence prior to kick-off in the matches, players of all clubs will be given black armbands while messaging and imagery will be shared with clubs for them to use on big screens. Tributes were paid to the brothers prior to last Sunday's Community Shield between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Wembley, with wreaths laid on the pitch and a period of silence before kick-off. Diogo Jota and André Silva, always in our hearts ♥️ — Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) August 10, 2025 A minority of Eagles fans broke the silence, eliciting a strong response at the other end of the pitch, as well as from other Eagles supporters who tried to silence those not respecting the tribute. Reds head coach Arne Slot said: 'I don't think this was planned, or that this was the idea of the fan that made some noise. Maybe he wasn't aware of the fact that it was the minute of silence. 'He was just still happy and tried to cheer for his team. And I think then the fans of Palace were trying to calm that person or those persons down, so I don't think he had a bad intention, the guy or people that made noise. 'They tried to calm him down, but that was a bit noisy as well. And then our fans reacted, 'Hey, what's happening here?'. The new season starts here. 2025/26 🔜 — Premier League (@premierleague) June 18, 2025 'So I don't think there's a bad intention to it, because the fans of Crystal Palace and everywhere around the world have paid huge respect to Diogo and Andre and this was, I think, unlucky or, I can't find the right words, but I don't think there was a bad intention in it.' Liverpool fans earlier paid their respects with a rousing rendition of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' as the wreaths were brought out, raising a white banner reading 'Diogo J' and featuring the forward's image and number 20. The club's record goalscorer Ian Rush, Palace chairman Steve Parish and Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt laid the wreaths in the Liverpool end as fans from both sides showed their respect with a standing ovation as the siblings' images were displayed on the big screens inside the stadium. Liverpool have retired Jota's number 20 shirt in tribute to the player.
Scottish Sun
20 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Crystal Palace handed further blow as Premier League take ‘outrageous' decision after Europa League expulsion
It is the latest on a pile of bad news for the club that keeps getting deeper -tal order Crystal Palace handed further blow as Premier League take 'outrageous' decision after Europa League expulsion Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CRYSTAL PALACE fans have been struck by another bout of tough luck as the Premier League has rescheduled their upcoming match with Aston Villa The match, scheduled to be held at Villa Park on Friday August 29th, has been moved to a 7pm Sunday kick-off. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Crystal Palace have been struck by another blow as their match with Aston Villa was rescheduled to a very impractical time for travelling fans Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 4 Palace fans will have to make the 200+ mile round trip for the 7pm kick off on Sunday at Villa Park and be ready for their early starts the next day Credit: Getty Play Dream Team now! Play The Sun Dream Team ahead of the 2025/26 season Free to play Over £100,000 in total prize money Play in Mini Leagues against your mates Submit a team for Gameweek 1 to enter £5,000 prize draw Play via Dream Team's app or website today! The move adds insult to injury following the confirmation of their demotion to the Europa Conference League for the upcoming season. The rescheduling has been made to accommodate the second leg of the Eagles' opening fixture of that competition. They will face either Fredrikstad or Midtjylland on August 28th. The decision has piled the misery on to fans who are only just coming to terms with the brutal rejection of their CAS appeal on Monday. READ MORE CRYSTAL PALACE NEWS 'UNIQUE PRIVILEGE' Crystal Palace issue furious statement after Conference League demotion Some fans have taken to social media to voice their dissatisfaction with the impractical timing of the fixture. One fan said: "7pm on a Sunday is outrageous." Another sarcastically pointed out the difficulties the fixture can bring travelling fans. They said: "Oh brilliant. That will be fun with an early shift the next day." CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS 4 Chairman Steve Parish's appeal to CAS was rejected on Monday Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 4 It has been a sharp reality check following Sunday's Community Shield victory over Liverpool at Wembley Credit: Getty The game's 9pm finish will cause havoc for fans making the over-200-mile round trip from Selhurst Park to Villa Park. The topsy-turvy week just keeps getting more conflicting for fans following their surprise victory over Liverpool to secure the Community Shield on Sunday. Crystal Palace lose appeal against their demotion from Europa League Ecstasy made way for disappointment as news emerged of their defeat at CAS the following day. Now news has emerged that Spurs have joined Arsenal in their pursuit of Palace talisman Eberechi Eze. And now Liverpool have reportedly agreed terms with Palace captain Marc Guehi over a move to Anfield. Should one or both of those deals go through, the club will be in dire shape ahead of their season opener at Chelsea this weekend.
Leader Live
an hour ago
- Leader Live
Liverpool in talks with Crystal Palace over move for Marc Guehi
Arne Slot's Reds have been busy since winning last season's Premier League, with Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Hugo Ekitike and Milos Kerkez among the summer arrivals. Liverpool have also seen a £110million bid rejected in recent weeks for unsettled Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, but defensive reinforcements appear to be the current priority. PA understands the Anfield outfit are in discussions with Palace over a deal for England international Guehi. The 25-year-old captained the Eagles to victory against Liverpool in Sunday's Community Shield at Wembley and is out of contract next summer. Guehi starred in England's run to the Euro 2024 final and will want regular game time ahead of next summer's World Cup. Liverpool are hopeful that the former Chelsea defender wants to join them but sources have denied reports that personal terms have been agreed. A post shared by Crystal Palace Football Club (@cpfc) PA understands Liverpool are also interested in 18-year-old defender Leoni from Parma and are in talks with the Serie A side. The Italy Under-19 international spent time with Padova and Sampdoria before moving to Emilia-Romagna last year.
