Michail Antonio has told talkSPORT that he has something to prove at his new club after recovering from a life-threatening car accident.

The 35-year-old is currently a free agent, having been released by West Ham eight months following a horrific car crash in December.

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He made 323 appearances over 10 years at the club, scoring 83 goals en route to becoming their leading Premier League goalscorer.

The forward hasn’t played for the Hammers since he broke his leg in four places when he crashed his £260,000 Ferrari into a tree.

But Antonio returned to professional football in June for Jamaica during the Gold Cup, and has turned out for West Ham’s U21s.

The former right-back, who is currently a TNT Sports pundit for the Community Shield, insisted his playing days are far from done.

During an exclusive interview with talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent, Alex Crook, at Wembley, Antonio was asked whether his new role means we’ve seen the last of him as a player.

“No, definitely not,” Antonio replied. “I’m speaking to clubs right now to see where the best offer is for me to go, and we’ll just see how it goes.”

On what level he’s looking to find himself at, the England-born star continued: “To be honest, there’s a mixture, we’re talking to clubs here, we’re talking to clubs abroad, but I’m going to leave it very vague – talk to clubs in England and abroad.”

Antonio did let slip that one of the aims of his next club would be the opportunity to give himself the best chance of playing in the World Cup.

The Reggae Boyz, whose only appearance at the finals came in 1998, have appointed Steve McClaren as manager in a bid to reach the tournament in America next summer.

“Indeed, 100 per cent [it’s an aim to play in the US in 2026]. “That’s one thing I’ve not managed to achieve for myself, to be playing in the World Cup, and Jamaica are very close to it.

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“It’s not just that, I just wouldn’t want my career to come to an end by a car crash, literally.

“So I’ve got something to prove to show that I can come back, I can come back and play well, which I was doing for the last ten years.”

“Even before I did the car crash, I was starting for West Ham, so it shows that I’ve still got the ability about me and I can do it again.

Michail Antonio’s recovery

On the physical and mental challenges from rebuilding his fitness, Antonio said: “It was very hard to come over it. It was a 12-month injury, I managed to do it in five and a half months.

“I managed to play for Jamaica in the summer, like you just said, and I managed to score two goals in the 21s game, so it shows I can still get my goals.

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“But it has been difficult mentally.

“I obviously had to go into therapy and things like that to try and build up and get myself back through it, but I’m very good now.

“I’m very good, I’m very happy, I’m very content with where I am. I’m just going to wait for my football club to come in, and then I’ll start showing everybody that I’m not just good in my mind, I’m not just good physically, I’m good on the pitch.”

Antonio also made a plea to West Ham fans to accept his close friend and replacement at the London Stadium, Callum Wilson.

Nine-cap England international Wilson, who turned 34 this season, signed a one-year deal with the Irons after leaving Newcastle.

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His agent, Will Salthouse, has a close relationship with David Sullivan and approached the Hammers owner over a move for the striker.

West Ham responded with an offer to Wilson of a minimal salary with bonuses for goals and appearances, which he accepted.

However, the club’s fans have largely against his signing on social media, in part due to both his age and injury record.

Wilson, who spent the equivalent of three full 38-game seasons sidelined during five years at Newcastle, has also scored more goals against West Ham than any other club.

To add insult to injury, Wilson has incurred the ire of Hammers supporters for various comments against Potter’s men.

The 33-year-old referred to his handball goal against them for Bournemouth as a ‘touch of magic’.

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Antonio makes Wilson plea to West Ham fans

Wilson also mocked West Ham’s 2023 Conference League triumph, saying it was as meaningful as winning a trophy on FC, FKA, FIFA.

He made the latter comments on the Footballers’ Football Podcast alongside Antonio, who unsurprisingly came out in support.

“No, to be fair, the podcast was fun, and there was a bit of banter between me and him,” Antonio told talkSPORT.

“So I feel like he’s going to be there, he’s giving his all for the club, all for the shirt.

“I feel like the West Ham fans should support him, he’s a good friend of mine, and he is a quality player, all you need to do is try and keep him fierce.

“If we keep him fit, he will guarantee to bring goals to the club. So just back the boy and he’s come from me.”

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Callum Wilson’s record against West Ham

On Wilson’s goals against his old club, Antonio added: “He scores all the time, so I feel we’ve saved points and we’ve saved goal difference by him being on our team.”

“Being on the team now, I said our team, not there anymore,” Antonio joked.

“But yeah, he’s definitely helped us out by doing that, and he is quality, he is definitely quality, and he’s definitely going to do some good bits for the club.”

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