Michail Antonio cried in bed for two days after calf tear ruined move to Premier League club

Michail Antonio was left ‘crying’ after he tore his calf a day before he was set to join Brentford.

Antonio was poised to join the Bees as a free agent after his contract at West Ham expired last summer.

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The Jamaica international departed the Hammers as their all-time Premier League leading goalscorer, having netted 68 times in the top flight.

However, Antonio’s last appearance for the club was on December 3 in 2024 as a serious car crash days later left him with multiple leg fractures and ruled him out for the remainder of the 2024/25 campaign.

Despite Antonio no longer contracted, the Hammers allowed the veteran forward to conduct his rehab at the club and play for their Under-21s.

Antonio’s Brentford heartbreak

Having returned to full fitness, Antonio looked to continue his playing career in England and held talks with Brentford and Leicester City.

But just when it looked like he’d be back in the English top flight, disaster struck.

“When I found out I’d torn my calf the day before signing for Brentford, I laid in bed for two days,” Antonio told the BBC.

“First day, I was just crying. The second day, I just didn’t want to get out of bed.

“I thought, I’m back where I want to be, I’m back in the Premier League.’

“And then it happened again with Leicester.

“I was meant to return to Leicester but they didn’t want me back in because they didn’t want a relapse on their books. So I trained alone for a week and then went into Charlton.”

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A pay-as-you-play deal was discussed between Antonio and Championship side Charlton but a move never came to fruition.

Fellow second tier outfit Portsmouth were also linked with Antonio, but Pompey boss John Mousinho did not believe the ex-Hammers star ‘was the right profile to necessarily bring in.’

How Antonio ended up in Qatar

Antonio has since penned a short-term deal with Qatari side Al Sailiya, where he will link up with ex-Everton defender Mason Holgate and former Aston Villa winger Anwar El Ghazi.

In fact, it was Holgate who helped the deal get over the line.

After an injury to one of their strikers, Al Sailiya boss Mirghani Al Zain asked Holgate if he knew of any players available.

Holgate, who plays with Antonio for Jamaica, knew his international teammate would be the perfect candidate.

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The pair will hope to represent the Caribbean nation at this year’s World Cup, as Jamaica look to book their spot at the tournament via the play-offs in March.

However, Antonio was reluctant to look that far ahead and instead is focused on proving he is fully fit.

“Whatever happens in the summer, happens,” Antonio said.

“I need to focus on the first goal, playing games and being fit. If I stay fit, I’ll perform and score goals.

“I feel like the best possibility of staying fit is out here rather than playing Tuesdays and Saturdays.”