‘Massive’ European glory and history-making vow – Michail Antonio’s most memorable quotes
West Ham have confirmed the departure of Michail Antonio after his contract with the East London outfit expired.
Antonio, 35, made 323 appearances for the Hammers after signing all the way back in 2015.
Whether it was at right-back, on the wing or up top, Antonio always did a job and was a valued member of the West Ham squad spanning many years and multiple managers.
The Jamaican international is West Ham’s all-time top goalscorer in the Premier League with 83 goals to his name, and was also a part of the squad that has been immortalised after their triumph in the Europa Conference League.
As Antonio looks to get back into football following his devastating car crash back in December, which left him with a broken leg, West Ham Zone looks back at the fan favourite’s most memorable quotes from his time as a Hammer.
Europa League linesman rant
Under David Moyes, Antonio and West Ham were competing in Europe on a regular basis in multiple competitions.
Following a 1-1 draw with Bayer Leverkusen at the London Stadium in April last year, which saw the Hammers knocked out of Europe on aggregate, the striker was not shy in making his feelings known after some controversial refereeing decisions.
“It doesn’t feel like you’re playing against 11 men, it feels like you’re playing against 14, including the two lions,” said Antonio after the game when asked about the officials.
Top goalscorer admission
With Callum Wilson’s arrival as a free agent in E20, leaving Antonio out of Graham Potter’s plans for next season, supporters may be confused as to why they are replacing a 35-year-old who is coming off a major injury with a 33-year-old who is notoriously injury-prone.
Antonio’s route to West Ham in the Premier League was unconventional, beginning his career at Tooting & Mitcham United in non-league before scratching and clawing his way up the English football pyramid one step at a time.
- Antonio netted 10 Premier League goals in three consecutive seasons, spanning 2019-2022
The harsh realities of playing non-league football kept Antonio grounded, and this was evident when he spoke about becoming the club’s time leading goalscorer in the Premier League.
“I never really thought about becoming the all‑time top goalscorer,” he said. “When I first signed, I was just trying to get a game.”
Conference League victory was ‘massive’
When West Ham lifted European silverware after defeating Fiorentina in Prague, Antonio and Co. lifted the Irons’ first trophy in over 40 years and their first trophy in Europe since the days of Bobby Moore and Geoff Hurst.
Antonio will always be remembered as part of the West Ham squad that played in Europe in three consecutive seasons.
West Ham were firmly in the ascendancy and Antonio acknowledged this at full-time, vowing that the history-making moment was just the start.
“It’s massive, it’s massive … Moving forward, this is not where we are going to stop,” he said.
Whilst United’s progress may have stalled last season, those in E20 will be hoping that Potter can get West Ham back into Europe eventually, with the Englishman about to undergo his first season in charge.
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