London, England — Jamaica national team star Michail Antonio is making plans to return to the pitch later this year, despite suffering a serious injury in a car crash last December. The 34-year-old forward was airlifted to the hospital after his £260,000 Ferrari crashed into a tree in Essex on December 7, 2024, where he was trapped for over 45 minutes.
Speaking about Antonio’s recovery, Jamaica head coach Steve McClaren expressed confidence in the forward’s return. “The impact of the crash was horrendous, but he is determined to come back strong,” McClaren said. “We are hopeful he will be ready for our World Cup qualifiers in September, October, and November. He has the warrior spirit, and when he has motivation, he tends to achieve his goals.”
Antonio is optimistic about his recovery. After enduring a broken leg, he has been steadily regaining strength and mobility. In February, he began light training and is focusing on returning to full fitness in time to support Jamaica’s World Cup campaign. McClaren added, “He’s a true character off the field, and he brings great energy to the squad. We really miss that aspect of his presence.”
Antonio has been a significant player for Jamaica since switching his international allegiance from England in 2021, where he has since made 21 appearances, scoring five goals and providing one assist. The striker joined West Ham United in 2015 and has since played 323 matches, tallying 83 goals and 40 assists.
West Ham manager Graham Potter also acknowledged Antonio’s situation. “Given the severity of his injury, it’s important he takes the time needed to recover fully. I wouldn’t want to put a timeframe on his return, as that would be unfair to him. Mich’s recovery is going positively, but rushing it isn’t an option,” he said.
Now, as the Reggae Boyz prepare for crucial World Cup qualifiers, the team is looking forward to having Antonio back on the field. Their next challenge is against St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the CONCACAF Gold Cup qualifiers, scheduled for March 25.
