Latest news with #BeastModeOnPodcast
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'I could've punched him in his face!' - Michail Antonio reveals identity of referee who drove him MAD as only threat of lifetime ban stopped him fighting match official on the pitch
GOAL's brand new Beast Mode On Podcast, hosted by Adebayo Akinfenwa, welcomes guest Michail Antonio as he discusses the harrowing car crash that almost killed him, as well as listing some of his toughest opponents and the Portuguese referee that he almost fought on the pitch after being left outraged by the decisions of the official. Antonio, who is West Ham's record Premier League goalscorer having struck 68 times in England's top flight for the Hammers, recalls one particular defeat, against Bayer Leverkusen in a Europa League quarter-final tie back in April 2024, that made him so angry that he was ready to punch referee Artur Soares Dias in the face. Scroll down to read about why Antonio was left so enraged by the match official, as well as one hilarious clash he had with Manchester United centre-back Harry Maguire and how a certain former Swansea City winger was one of very few players to get the better of him. You can watch the full episode of the Best Mode On Podcast via YouTube and Spotify. 'THERE WOULD'VE BEEN A FIGHT' Antonio, who has left West Ham following the expiration of his contract at the end of the 2024-25, first recalled a funny story involving a tussle with United centre-back Maguire. He said: "I remember once, Harry Maguire, I'm a heavy man, 94kg, Harry Maguire, somehow, the ball's come in, I've jumped to chest it and he's held me like a child and threw me. I've fallen straight on my face and the referee went: 'Play on'. I'm like: 'How on earth can you not see I've been carried like a child?' [But] that wasn't the worst decision." Referring to a Europa League clash that the Hammers would lose 2-0, a result they couldn't turnaround as they were knocked out by Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen, Antonio added: "That isn't the worst decision. Quarter-finals, Europa League, we played Bayer Leverkusen, we lost. That was the worst refereeing I've ever experienced in my life. I didn't get a single decision. I could've punched him [referee Soares Dias] in his face. If it wasn't for a lifetime ban, there would've been a fight on the pitch." 'I'M JUST CHASING SHADOWS' Discussing some of the toughest opponents he's come up against, Antonio referred to Eden Hazard and ex-Swansea City forward Mo Barrow as being the only two that caused him serious problems, back when he was asked to play right-back for West Ham. He said: "Nobody else [I would come up against knowing I had a tough evening ahead]. Only [Eden] Hazard... what was annoying about Hazard, I was quite egotistical when I was playing in defence, I was like: 'No one's going to be beat me - if they try to go past me I'm just going to put my arm across him and take the ball'. I was so confident. "But with Hazard, I couldn't get near him. He was so annoying. He would get the ball and drive inside. Because he's driving infield I'm always a distance away from him. I'm just chasing shadows. Do you know who ripped me the most? You wouldn't know who he is. Mo Barrow - Swansea. I've marked [Antony] Martial, Hazard, [Marcus] Rashford, all these people, I've done well. But the one who ripped me the most was Mo Barrow." 'HE NEEDS TO LEAVE!' Antonio currently leads West Ham's all-time Premier League goalscoring charts with 68 goals to his name. Hammers skipper Jarrod Bowen is, however, fast closing in on his former team-mate's tally, and is now just 12 behind of the 35-year-old ahead of the start of the 2025-26 season. That's not lost on Antonio, who joked that the England international should be sold to avoid him claiming the record: "This is what's annoying me about Jarrod, he's 12 goals away from me. "I'm like: Give me at least five years of me chilling [with the record]. It was there for like 20 years [before] and now you want to take it from me within four years?! What are you doing?!' He needs to leave! I don't care. I know West Ham fans will be mad at me for saying it but he needs to leave!" WATCH THE FULL EPISODE
Scottish Sun
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Michail Antonio admits he doesn't remember anything from horror crash that almost killed West Ham legend
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MICHAIL ANTONIO admits he has NO recollection of the awful crash that almost took his life. The West Ham legend smashed his Ferrari into a tree last December - leaving him with a serious lower leg fracture and lucky to be alive. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Michail Antonio has opened up on his horror car crash Credit: YouTube/Beast Mode On 6 Antonio smashed his Ferrari into a tree last December Credit: Steve Bell He was airlifted to hospital and rushed into surgery and spent the rest of the season fighting to get back on his feet. Antonio, 35, spent three weeks in hospital as he began his recovery. But the striker revealed he cannot remember it. Speaking on the Beast Mode On Podcast with Adebayo Akinfenwa, Antonio said: 'What's crazy about it, everybody in the world experienced that crash more than me. "Even though I was in it, I didn't live it because I don't remember anything about it. "I don't remember the crash, I don't remember being in the hospital, I don't remember going in for the operation, I don't remember coming out of the operation. "There were loads of emotions coming through, my body remembers stuff even though my mind doesn't. "What I've learnt from the car crash is football's important, but your health is more important." 6 Antonio had to undergo intense physiotherapy to return to action Credit: instagram/@michailantonio 6 The star was on crutches for a prolonged period Credit: Instagram Following the accident, Antonio was adamant he would play football again. And he finally made his big comeback in June, playing as a substitute for Jamaica in the Gold Cup group stage, losing to Guatemala in California. Michail Antonio plays first match just six months after near-death Ferrari crash that 'completely shattered' his leg Now Antonio says he has tried to find the positives from the accident, insisting 'the crash was also a blessing'. And he revealed a tearful moment listening to a Beyonce song with his kids helped change his perspective. He added: "I was in Dubai with my kids, my daughter loves Beyonce, [and the song] I Was Here. "I've listened to it so many times but since the car crash, I listened to it and I was just sitting there, in a room with my kids but I've gone into a corner and I was crying. "Those words, when you've been through what I've been through, when you've nearly died. When I was listening to it, I've gone. "Now I'm at that stage where I'm going to bring myself happiness. I'm going to do whatever needs to be done. "As much as the crash was a curse, it was also a blessing. It's brought so many things to light and made me more focused and driven to do what needs to be done." 6 Antonio made his return to football in June, playing for Jamaica in a Gold Cup group stage game against Guatemala Credit: Reuters Antonio is the Hammers' all-time top scorer in the Premier League, having scored 68 goals in 268 games. His contract with the club expired on 30th June but he hopes to continue playing. West Ham confirmed last month that Antonio will be listed as a free transfer but stressed they remain fully behind him during his comeback. A statement read: 'Given Michail Antonio's unique situation following his serious road traffic accident. "There will be no formal decision on his future until such time that it is considered right and appropriate. 'As a long-serving, highly-respected player and a much-loved member of the West Ham family. "The club's absolute priority is to support Michail personally in his journey to resume playing at the highest level.'
