MICHAIL ANTONIO, who turned down representing Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz, scored a staggering quarter of a million pounds after slotting home his spot-kick for West Ham against Manchester United on Wednesday (July 22).

The 30-year-old forward, who put the Hammers ahead in first-half stoppage time in the 1-1 stalemate at Old Trafford that secured their English Premier League (EPL) status, bagged his tenth goal of the stop-start season to land his £250,000 bonus.

Usual penalty taker Mark Noble stood down to offer Antonio the opportunity to collect his money and grab a vital league goal in their penultimate EPL game. 

Career

London-born Antonio, who kicked off his career with non-league Tooting & Mitcham United, was snapped up by West Ham from Nottingham Forest in a £7m move five years ago.

In his debut season at West Ham, their fourth back in the top tier, he notched eight goals in 26 league games. The following campaign he started as right back but went on to bag nine goals in 29 EPL appearances, despite getting injured in April 2017, after being restored to his favoured position of striker. 

As he was flourishing on the right flank and picked up the club’s coveted 2016-17 Player of the Year award as well as being approached to play for Jamaica, Antonio renegotiated his contract with the Hammers in 2017 to include a whopping £250,000 bonus for reaching double figures in the EPL.

Campaign

However, the following campaign he played just 21 matches and only scored three times as he recovered from what was only described as “a significant injury” in April 2017 by then West Ham head coach Slaven Bilic.

Back to full fitness the following term he surprisingly struggled for goals and only hit the back of the net just six times in 33 appearances. But he has been sparkling in recent weeks, ever since the season resumed following the enforced break because of the coronavirus pandemic, with his spot-kick his eighth strike in six games.

Although he has just one season remaining on his current deal, the Hammers are keen to keep their prized asset so have tabled a new four-year contract. And if his electric performances continue next season then he could receive an overdue England call-up.

Opportunity

Antonio, who turned down the opportunity to play for Jamaica in 2016 because of his ambitions to represent England, has yet to play for his country of birth.

He was an unused substitute for England’s 2018 World Cup qualifier against Slovakia in September 2016, and he had to withdraw from the England squad in March 2017 for their friendly against Germany and the 2018 World Cup qualifier against Lithuania after picking up a hamstring injury.

Despite being a veteran Antonio still harbours his dream to don an England shirt, and with the 2020 European Championships delayed by a year (June-July 2021) due to the coronovirus pandemic, his dream could well become a reality if he keeps his scoring boots on for the Hammers.