Michail Antonio is reportedly flying to Dubai today to begin the next stage of his car accident recovery.
The West Ham forward will spend almost two weeks at a training centre in the United Arab Emirates, returning on February 20.
On December 7, Antonio, 34, was airlifted to hospital with a broken leg after being cut from the wreckage of his £260,000 grey Ferrari by fire crews in Essex.
After colliding with a tree on his way home from training in Epping Forest, the striker was trapped for more than 45 minutes and feared for his life.
He needed surgery and on New Year’s Eve posted a positive update expressing his gratitude to God for being alive, sharing a photo of him on crutches. It is unclear when he will return to football, though it is very unlikely to be this season, and his contract expires at the end of June.
All the same, he has taken a stride in the right direction with this latest development that he is taking a trip to Dubai, according to The Sun.
Michail Antonio is reportedly flying to Dubai for the next stage of his recovery after his crash
The West Ham star feared for his life after breaking his leg in a crash in his Ferrari in December
Antonio, pictured on crutches on New Year’s Eve, said he is grateful to God to be alive
‘Every year around this time, I’m asked what I’m grateful for, and every year I’ve struggled to find the right words,’ his December 31 statement began.
‘But this year, I know exactly what I’m grateful for: being alive.
‘I want to take a moment to acknowledge something I’ve come to realise—I’ve spent so many years taking life for granted. I made plans for the next day, the next year, always assuming tomorrow was guaranteed.
‘I’ve seen close friends pass away, witnessed others face near-death experiences, and even then, I didn’t fully grasp just how precious life is.
‘What I’ve been through recently has opened my eyes. Life is fragile, and every single moment matters.
‘I’m so grateful to God for giving me the strength to keep going 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 of the staff, my team mates and the amazing West Ham fans… I honestly could not have got through this without you. thank you from the bottom of my heart.
‘To my loved ones who stood by my side throughout everything, I can’t express how much you mean to me.
Another image appeared to show the Premier League star’s smashed vehicle in Epping Forest
On Christmas Day 2019, Antonio crashed his car into the garden of a house in London
Antonio was seen climbing out of his £210,000 Lamborghini after crashing into a front garden
Antonio was dressed as a snowman following club training in the morning of that day
‘Lastly, to the whole football community thank you for all the love and support you’ve shown me. It has truly meant the world. I love you all and I am endlessly grateful for every one of you.’
Antonio is not expected to feature in the Premier League again before the end of the season.
However, he ended his statement by telling fans: ‘Happy new year – and I’ll be back on that pitch soon.’
Antonio was also involved in a car crash on Christmas Day in 2019 when his £210,000 Lamborghini went into the garden of a house in London. He had been dressed as a snowman at training earlier that day to celebrate the festive period.
The striker has been at West Ham since 2015 and has scored 83 goals in 323 appearances across all competitions.
With 68 top-flight goals, he is the Hammers’ leading Premier League scorer, ahead of Jarrod Bowen (48) and Paolo Di Canio (47).
