Maxwel Cornet reacts to emotional Michail Antonio message outside West Ham
West Ham star Maxwel Cornet has reacted to an emotional message shared by Jamaica international Michail Antonio.
The 35-year-old has not featured for the London Stadium club since suffering a serious injury in a car crash in December.
Antonio has enjoyed a stellar Hammers career since moving to East London from Nottingham Forest in 2015, making over 300 appearances.
Football finance expert Dr Dan Plumley exclusively told Football Insider that West Ham could hand Antonio a new contract, while his current deal expires this summer.
Cornet reacts to two-word message as Antonio makes Jamaica return
Antonio made a five-minute cameo appearance as Jamaica lost 1-0 to Guatemala in the CONCACAF Gold Cup on Tuesday, 17 June.
Posting on Instagram [18 June], the striker shared a photo of himself in hospital alongside a photo of him on his international return, captioned: “196 days.”
Antonio’s message attracted a like from Cornet, who spent the second half of last season on loan with Italian side Genoa.
Cornet could enjoy unlikely reprieve under Graham Potter
Football Insider verdict
Cornet endured a disastrous opening half of last season, making just four appearances for a struggling Southampton unit, failing to score a goal before being deployed on loan once more to Genoa.
The winger enjoyed a slightly more fruitful loan spell in Italy, but still made just seven appearances for Patrick Vieira’s men before returning to West Ham.
| Maxwel Cornet | West Ham stats |
| Appearances | 37 |
| Goals | 1 |
Cornet previously showed promise with former club Burnley during the 2021/22 season, scoring nine goals in 26 Premier League appearances, even though the Clarets suffered relegation from the top-flight that campaign, which prompted the Hammers to sign him.
The Hammers will have hoped to see the Ivory Coast international push on from there, but he has instead displayed little promise in East London.
However, Graham Potter’s first full season in charge at the London Stadium could hand the former Burnley man a clean slate, while the ex-Brighton boss could help the 28-year-old return to form.
Meanwhile, Antonio has been tipped to receive a lucrative offer from the Saudi Pro League in a West Ham Zone exclusive.