Antonio makes return for Jamaica 6 MONTHS after his near-fatal car crash

Michail Antonio returned to the pitch for the first time since his near fatal car crash last December.

The 35-year-old came off the bench in 85th minute of Jamaica's 1-0 loss to Guatemala in the Gold Cup in California.

Antonio was unable to prevent Jamaica from suffering a group stage defeat, but the his brief cameo proved a milestone moment in his recovery.

The West Ham forward had not featured in a match since crashing his Ferrari into a tree in December, an accident that left the striker with extensive injuries and lucky to be alive.

Antonio suffered a lower limb fracture in the car accident and required surgery.

He was released from hospital at the end of December last year.

Antonio had been working hard to return to fitness in recent months, flying out for warm-weather training in Dubai in February.

West Ham boss Graham Potter revealed the forward had been kicking balls again with the first team squad in the closing stages of last season.

Antonio did not feature in the closing weeks of West Ham's season, but was still included in Steve McLaren's Jamaica squad for the Gold Cup.

He was absent from their recent World Cup qualifiers against Guatemala and the British Virgin Islands earlier this month, but came on for the closing stages in their Gold Cup opener.

Antonio will hope to feature more in Jamaica's remaining group stage matches against Guadeloupe and Panama.

The forward will be keen to prove his fitness with his West Ham contract, which is believed to be around £90,000 a week, coming to an end.

West Ham's leading Premier League goalscorer is currently weighing up his options after rejecting a short-term deal on lower wages.

‘He’s looking at what offers he gets,’ a senior Hammers source recently told Mail Sport.

West Ham announced earlier this month they will continue to support Antonio throughout his comeback, even though he will officially been listed as a ‘free transfer’.

‘Given Michail Antonio’s unique situation, following his serious road traffic accident in December 2024, there will be no formal decision and announcement on his future until such time that it is considered right and appropriate,’ the statement read.

‘However, as his current contract is also due to expire on 30 June, for the purposes of the Premier League Retained List procedure at the end of the 2024/25 season, Michail will be listed as a free transfer.

‘As a long-serving, highly-respected player, and a much-loved member of the West Ham family, the club’s absolute priority at this time is to support Michail personally in his journey to resume playing at the highest level.’