Michail Antonio, the former West Ham striker, shared his harrowing experience upon arriving in Qatar in March 2026 amidst rising tensions between the US and Iran. The conflict escalated just as Antonio began his new chapter with Al Sailiya following a serious leg injury that had sidelined him since December 2024.
Antonio's Journey to Qatar
After recovering from a gruesome leg break sustained in a car crash, Antonio trained with multiple clubs in England, including Brentford and Leicester, who both offered him contracts. However, injuries prevented any deals, leading to his decision to move to Qatar. He expressed, “Every club I trained with wanted to sign me – I knew I still had the quality.”
Ultimately, he signed with Al Sailiya, seeking not just a new team but a fresh start in a different environment. “I ended up going out to Qatar because that was something I needed, and I really enjoyed it out there,” he noted.
Experiencing Conflict
Antonio's arrival coincided with the onset of hostilities in the region. He recounted his first days in Qatar, stating, “On the very first day of the war, I was looking out of my hotel room, seeing rockets fly past. The hotel would shake when they were getting blocked. That was scary, but it was completely fine other than that day.”
