Michael Antonio reveals he disliked football so much and prayed for injuries before seeking help through therapy.
Speaking to the Sun, Antonio revealed all about his troubles set on be personal trauma, he said:
“I just started disliking the game. I began therapy because I was really struggling.”
The Jamaican forward says his mental health battles left him unable to process the fact the he won the Europa conference league with Westham last year.
In an interview with Jake Humphrey and author Damian Hughes, Antonio said he even hoped for an injury to prevent him from playing.
He recalled how splitting from his wife contributed to the experiences he had in a difficult period.
“I was going through my divorce and stuff, and I honestly couldn’t get my head around it. After we won, the whole team went out. The gaffer went out, got steaming, a couple of boys didn’t sleep for two days, just got drunk for two days. I was asleep on the coach and went back to the hotel.
“I was just mentally drained because of everything that was going on outside of my football and then I went back to the hotel and went to sleep while everyone was out partying.”
Michail Antonio went on to discuss how he initially misconceived the idea of therapy and how it has saved him.
“I started therapy because I was really struggling. And how I grew up, it was never a thing. I thought therapy was for crazy people. But therapy changed my life.”
Can Westham and Antonio find the resolve to deny Manchester City at the Etihad?
Michael Antonio reveals he disliked football so much and prayed for injuries before seeking help through therapy. Can a rejuvenated Antonio help to tilt the title in Arsenal and Declan Rice’s favor?
The attacker believes if both teams win all their remaining games until the final game, then Arsenal wins. This is because he and West Ham have something to play for and will look to get something out of their game against Westham.
“I wouldn’t call them bottle jobs if they lose this title, I wouldn’t. If it goes down to the last day, I reckon Arsenal wins it. Last game of the season, we have something to play for as well, we’re trying to get into Europe, Man City away.”
