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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Involved in traffic accident on December 7</li><li>Has undergone surgery on lower leg fracture</li><li>Forward admits that he is lucky to be alive</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'We feared he was leaving us' - West Ham's reaction to Michail Antonio's horror car crash revealed by ex-manager Julen Lopetegui

Premier League

West Ham

Leicester

<p>The Jamaica international forward was <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/michail-antonio-12-months-before-he-can-walk-warning-horror-car-crash-specialist-west-ham-jamaica-star-may-never-play-again/blta825f6a670d2f6b1" target="_blank">involved in a horror road traffic accident</a> on December 7. His Ferrari was written off after colliding with a tree, leaving Antonio <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/michail-antonio-first-words-horror-car-crash-revealed-dog-walker-found-west-ham-star-in-big-trouble/bltab71df794e914631" target="_blank">having to be cut from wreckage</a> before being airlifted to hospital.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>The 34-year-old forward <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/michail-antonio-emotional-message-west-ham-fans-horror-car-crash/blt4b507dc63cad59eb" target="_blank">concedes that he is lucky to be alive</a>. He has undergone <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/did-michail-antonio-suffer-multiple-fractures-west-ham-forward-informed-key-for-potential-return-horror-car-crash/blt2ca346823c4bd20b" target="_blank">surgery on a lower leg fracture</a> and <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/michail-antonio-recovery-horror-car-crash-dubai-training-session-west-ham-star-steady-progress-near-death-experience/bltea0b33a043d74283" target="_blank">has been training again in Dubai</a> as he looks to work his way back to full fitness. That <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/timeline-michail-antonio-recovery-2025-write-off-west-ham-star-12-months-rehab-horror-car-crash/bltc4ef5f1ce4fa59ec" target="_blank">process could take up to 12 months</a>.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Lopetegui was West Ham manager at the time of the incident and admits that <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/miracle-julen-lopetegui-visit-michail-antonio-hospital-west-ham-forward-recovering-well-horror-crash/blt75482e0d868a4829" target="_blank">those inside the club feared the worst</a> after learning how severe the accident had been. The Spanish coach told <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/feb/23/julen-lopetegui-of-course-we-could-have-played-better-it-was-our-fault?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other " target="_blank"><em>The Guardian</em></a>: "We feared he was leaving us."</p>

WHAT JULEN LOPETEGUI SAID

<p>Antonio was one of several issues that ex-Real Madrid coach Lopetegui had to contend with during his short reign at the London Stadium. He also saw Brazilian playmaker Lucas Paqueta face <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/ten-year-ban-lucas-paqueta-west-ham-fear-brazil-career-over-after-charge-betting-breaches/bltd8c7d56a4fd8ff6e" target="_blank">accusations of breaching gambling regulations</a>, but said of the South American: "He handled it very well; we were pleased with his commitment."</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Lopetegui was <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/west-ham-sack-julen-lopetegui-agreement-graham-potter-take-over-hammers/bltf2af6ed59b7f90f5" target="_blank">relieved of his duties on January 8, having taken in just 22 as Hammers boss</a>, with the reins being passed to Graham Potter. He believes that he should have been given more time in which to get things right, but is now waiting on offers that will see him return to the dugout.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

'We feared he was leaving us' - West Ham's reaction to Michail Antonio's horror car crash revealed by ex-manager Julen Lopetegui | Goal.com

Julen Lopetegui has revealed West Ham&apos;s reaction to Michail Antonio&apos;s car crash, with the ex-Hammers boss admitting &quot;we feared he was leaving us&quot;.

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