In December 2024, footballer Michail Antonio was close to losing it all — not just his career, but his life.
He had a terrible car accident. The wreckage was so bad, the police didn’t even find him in the driver’s seat. He was stuck between two seats, likely trying to escape through the window… but couldn’t, because his leg was completely shattered.
I wasn’t supposed to play football again.
BBC
But the hardest part wasn’t just the injury or pain. It was the thought that he almost left his children behind.
That’s the most difficult part — I almost wasn’t there for my children.
After the crash, he kept everything away from his kids to protect them. But his eldest saw the photos and struggled with it. And Antonio? He didn’t sleep a wink that night.
He recently visited the scrapyard where his wrecked car was taken. Seeing it in real life was worse than the pictures.
It gave me a weird feeling in my stomach… It just made me realize how close I was to dying.
And yet, in all of this, Antonio found a new version of himself — one that values life deeper than ever before.
Since the crash, I’ve been more emotional than ever. But I feel like it’s better. Therapy is one of the best things that’s happened to me.
And just last night, he returned to football. From being unsure if he’d ever walk properly again… to stepping back onto the pitch. That’s not just recovery. That’s a reminder.
Every day you wake up is a second chance. Don’t waste it.
Even in the middle of pain, fear, or setbacks, you’re still here — and that means your story isn’t done. Life may not always go as planned, but as long as you’re breathing, there’s hope, purpose, and a new page to write.
What would you do differently if you knew you had one more shot at life?
Start today.
Wishing you well,
Orangecityz