Michail Antonio has delivered an emotional farewell message to West Ham supporters after confirming his departure following a decade at the club.
The Jamaican striker, who moved to Qatari side Al Sailiya, reflected on ten extraordinary years with the Hammers, describing the experience as truly unbelievable and beyond anything he could have imagined achieving.
Antonio highlighted becoming West Ham’s all-time leading Premier League goalscorer as one of the proudest accomplishments of his career.
He also pointed to his European Championship winners medal and his record of being joint top for the most headed goals in a calendar year among his proudest memories.
Antonio was careful to credit his teammates, coaches and all club staff for making those achievements possible throughout his time in east London.
However, he reserved his biggest thanks for the West Ham supporters, whose loyalty and backing over the past ten years clearly meant everything to him.
The 34-year-old admitted his original plan was to retire at West Ham before circumstances forced a different outcome.
Ham supporters, whose loyalty and backing over the past ten years clearly meant everything to him.
Antonio admitted his original plan was to retire at West Ham before circumstances forced a different outcome.
He acknowledged that life does not always follow the path you expect, but remained characteristically upbeat throughout his farewell message.
True to his personality, Antonio signed off by performing his famous Carlton dance, giving supporters one final joyful moment to remember him by.
The 34-year-old suffered a serious car accident in late 2024 that left his future in professional football deeply uncertain, making his recovery and eventual move all the more remarkable.
Full statement from Michail Antonio –
Hello Hammers fans and everybody else who’s going to see this.
10 years as a Hammer was unbelievable for me.
I managed to achieve so much that I would never have thought and other people probably wouldn’t have thought that I would have managed to achieve.
Being a European Champion, becoming West Ham’s all-time goalscorer in the Premier League.
Joint top with the most headed goals in the calendar year and none of this would have been achievable without my teammates, the coaches, all the staff at West Ham.
But my biggest thank you is to the West Ham fans that you’ve supported me over the last 10 years I just want to say thank you to you guys and I wish that the time wasn’t over to be honest but it just didn’t manage to work that way my plan was probably to retire at West Ham but hey life is life and things happen in life but there’s only one way for Antonio to sign out and it’s got to be a celebration I was thinking about doing a Homer Simpson but there’s not enough room in here.
So I actually can’t do that. But it’s going to be the Carlton. I love you guys. And thank you for the support.
How West Ham fans reacted to Michail Antonio’s heartfelt farewell message on Twitter –
@melvinwpeters
Surely the club will invite you back in the near future so you can say an official goodbye?
@selldit
Absolute 🐐 and West Ham legend. Not sure I’ve ever enjoyed watching a player as much as you on your day. Thank you for everything!
@jameswalker9393
Club legend mate. Massive impact on the club. Legendary RB and striker 😂 would have loved you to retire here
@danwoff98
Outstanding for us and a massive part of our recent success. Absolutely unstoppable for a while and someone who knew what it meant to play for the club. Real shame how it ended, but you gave us all some special memories. All the best in the new chapter, Mick. ⚒️
@MrHammer10
Thanks Big Mic, you were a hero for us and always gave your all in our shirt. All the best in your new venture at Qatar.
@Het__Vora
One of my favourite players of all time. Club legend. Goodbye king 👑 ⚒️❤️
@whufcchris_
Thank you Antonio, from day 1 you’ve always been one of the hardest workers, and thank God for your finishing instincts, you’ve saved us plenty. Hope all the best for you and your family, you absolute legend. ⚒️
PS – you just had to include the Pogba clip didn’t you😂
@Roxburghxo
I loved you at my club and you are sorely missed my striker, winger and right back. All the best for the future ❤️⚒️
@GtheHead
You will always be one of us Michy, and forever a legend. I hope you get your happiness back ❤️⚒️💪
@ElmPark21
Thank you for your service Michail, it’s been a blast. Good luck with whatever you do in the future and drive safely. Much love
@vasickajosef
@WestHam give this man a send-off worthy of the legend he is
@JayParbhoo
Thank you for the memories 🙏, Michail, and wish you all the best for your future. You will always be a Hammers legend. RB, RW, CF, you did it all with incredible passion and energy. All the best. ⚒️🫧⚒️
@Gibbothehammer
Goal and celebration away at Spurs was my favourite, best of luck big man ⚒️👏
@Bishy613
Thank you Micky for all the effort over the years and for all of the good times. You’ve firmly earned your spot in our history.
Best of luck for the future, whatever it holds. The main thing is you are ok after that crash.
@Ddeedah
Aww I’m gonna cry, will miss you, but thank you and best of luck for the future.⚒️🫧
ANTONNNNIIIOOOO.
Oh Mickey you’re so fine, you’re so fine our number 9 hey Mickey !!!
@linkylionel
All the best Mickey ! Was hoping for one last dance in the claret and blue – main thing was you surviving that car crash – good luck to you
I still miss shouting “cchharrgee Mickey!” When you went on a run ! 😂 go well ⚒️⚒️⚒️⚒️
@3963knw24467
Thanks for the memories & helping me share @WestHam winning something with my daughter.
Good luck with your future plans.
Hopefully bump into somewhere in Qatar to thank you in person.
@cheyfitz
Loved your goals and celebration. First against spurs at their new home a highlight and Chelsea at home during lockdown seen so many and will remember them for years to come. Good luck mickey
@TCS_Smiff_E
Wish we had one more year with you mate. Gutted how things have turned out.
Glad to see you’re back on your feet and going again 💪🏼
