Michail Antonio cried after tearing his calf the day before joining Brentford.
Antonio was poised to join the Bees as a free agent after his contract with West Ham expired last summer.
3
The Jamaica international left the Hammers as the Premier League’s all-time top scorer after scoring 68 goals in the top flight.
However, Antonio’s last appearance for the club came on December 3, 2024, as he suffered multiple broken legs in a serious car accident days later and was ruled out for the remainder of the 2024–25 season.
Although Antonio was no longer under contract, the Hammers allowed the experienced striker to complete his rehab at the club and play for their under-21 team.
Antonio’s Brentford heartbreak
After he was fully fit again, Antonio wanted to continue his playing career in England and held talks with Brentford and Leicester City.
But just when it looked like he was headed back to England’s top flight, disaster struck.
“When I found out I had torn my calf the day before I moved to Brentford, I was in bed for two days,” Antonio told the BBC.
“The first day I just cried. The second day I just didn’t want to get up.”
“I thought I was back where I wanted to be, I was back in the Premier League.”
“And then it happened again with Leicester.
“I was supposed to go back to Leicester but they didn’t want me back because they didn’t want a relapse on their books. So I trained on my own for a week and then went to Charlton.”
3
A pay-as-you-play deal was discussed between Antonio and Championship side Charlton, but it never materialized.
Second division side Portsmouth have also been linked with Antonio, but Pompey coach John Mousinho did not believe the ex-Hammers star “has the right profile to get.”
How Antonio came to Qatar
Antonio has since signed a short-term deal with Qatar’s Al Sailiya, where he will team up with former Everton defender Mason Holgate and former Aston Villa winger Anwar El Ghazi.
In fact, it was Holgate who helped make the deal happen.
Following an injury to one of their strikers, Al Sailiya coach Mirghani Al Zain asked Holgate if he knew of any available players.
Holgate, who plays with Antonio for Jamaica, knew his international teammate would be the perfect candidate.
3
The pair hope to represent the Caribbean nation at this year’s World Cup as Jamaica looks to secure its place in the tournament via the play-offs in March.
However, Antonio didn’t want to look too far ahead and instead focused on proving he was fully fit.
“Whatever happens in the summer, happens,” Antonio said.
“I have to concentrate on the first goal, play games and be fit. If I stay fit, I will perform and score goals.”
“I think the best way to stay fit is out here instead of playing on Tuesdays and Saturdays.”