Antonio often pinches himself thinking about West Ham achievements
Michail Antonio is West Ham United’s highest goalscorer of all time in Premier League history, but he often struggles to believe he owns such a record.
The 31-year-old has scored 51 top-flight goals in 166 appearances since joining the Hammers from Nottingham Forest in September 2015, establishing himself as a hero in the Hammers folklore.
Antonio managed to force himself into the starting XIs of Slaven Bilic, Manuel Pellegrini and David Moyes despite not initially featuring in their plans, and he has attributed his success to self-belief.
The West Ham star has continued to impress, breaking and setting records, and that feels like a dream sometimes.
He told UEFA’s official website: “I never question my ability. I’ve had so many different managers, and when each manager has come in, I might not have been their cup of tea.
“There are times I pinch myself. There are times where I’ll wake up and be like, “I’ve got four kids,” or I’m like, “I’m actually playing in the Premier League.” Now, the other day, I woke up and I was just like, “I’m the record holder for West Ham [for goals scored in the Premier League].”
“These types of things literally just randomly hit you. Because, normally, you just take things in your stride, and every now and then it just hits you and you’re like, ‘Oh my God, this is unbelievable’. But it is crazy.”
Well-deserved
Antonio has worked hard since he was a non-league player, and he is starting to reap the rewards.
He now plays international football and represents his club on the continent, and he could soon be featuring in the Champions League.
Winning silverware with West Ham has eluded him so far, but clinching some in the Hammers shirt cannot be ruled out given how his career has panned out.
Antonio has hit the ground running this term, and he is eyeing guiding West Ham to a top-four finish.
Having won two of their opening group games in the Europa League, the Irons are closer to bagging a berth in the last-32.
They are not one of the favourites to win the competition, but with someone like Antonio in their ranks, anything is possible.
He has managed to stay fit thus far in 2021-22, and if that continues, he could be helping West Ham punch above their weights.
In other West Ham news, Jack Wilshere has predicted major Hammers exit, but reckons one goal would stop it.
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