West Ham striker Michail Antonio has expressed his deep gratitude for being alive after a serious car accident left him with a broken leg.

Antonio, 34, was discharged from the hospital this Tuesday, following over three weeks of recovery and surgery to repair a lower limb fracture caused by the crash.

The incident occurred on December 7 in Epping, Essex, where Antonio became trapped in his car and required emergency assistance to be freed. He was later taken to a central London hospital for treatment.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, Antonio shared his reflections on the experience:

"Every year around this time, I'm asked what I'm grateful for, and every year I've struggled to find the right words. But this year, I know exactly what I'm grateful for: being alive."

The Jamaica international also shared a photo of himself standing with crutches, highlighting the gravity of his situation and his determination to recover.

"I've spent so many years taking life for granted," Antonio continued. "I made plans for the next day, the next year, always assuming tomorrow was guaranteed. I've lost close friends and seen others face near-death experiences, but it never fully sank in just how fragile life is.

"This experience has been eye-opening. Life is delicate, and every moment matters. I'm so thankful to God for giving me the strength to keep going and for allowing me to still be here."

Antonio is West Ham's all-time leading scorer in the Premier League, with 68 goals across 268 league appearances. Despite his injury, the striker remains optimistic about his return to football:

"I'll be back on that pitch soon," he assured fans.

In his post, Antonio extended his gratitude to the emergency and medical teams who cared for him, as well as the football community for their unwavering support.

"Thank you for all the love and support you've shown me. It has truly meant the world. I love you all and I am endlessly grateful for every one of you," Antonio wrote.

His teammates also paid tribute to him during their match against Wolves on December 9. Ahead of the game, they donned shirts bearing the words "Antonio 9" and secured a 2-1 victory.

West Ham has since auctioned the commemorative shirts, raising nearly £60,000 for NHS and Air Ambulances UK charities.

The club echoed Antonio's gratitude in a statement:

"Everyone at the club would like to reiterate their heartfelt thanks to the first responders, emergency services, air ambulance staff, and the NHS for the incredible support given to Michail in the wake of the accident."

Antonio’s story serves as a reminder of life’s fragility and the importance of cherishing every moment.