Michail Antonio pays heartbreaking tribute following death of ex-West Ham star's mum

Michail Antonio has paid a heartbreaking tribute to his mother after revealing she has passed away. In a gutwrenching social media post, the former West Ham star expressed his grief and mixed feelings surrounding the death of his mum, Cislyn.

Antonio, 35, is in mourning but appeared to take some solace in that she is now free from pain having been bedbound. The ex-Nottingham Forest ace revealed the difficulty his mother endured over the course of several years.

The Jamaica international wrote on Instagram : "Hello, mum. It's your baby boy. Your time in this world as come to an end. The last five years has (sic) been difficult.

"Seen you sat in that bed not be able to walk, but nothing can prepare you for you leaving me. As much as this hurts, you not being here, but the fact you're no longer in pain and your no longer restricted to a bed. You're free now."

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It continues a difficult year for Antonio who broke his leg in a devastating car crash in December and was forced into a rigorous rehabilitation period. The Premier League star has since seen his contract with West Ham expire and is without a club.

But the versatile star has made his return to the football pitch. Antonio played for Jamaica in their CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign when he was introduced as a substitute in the 2-1 win against Guadeloupe.

It marked a remarkable return to action after concerns his career could be over after smashing his femur in four places. Antonio had been adamant he would return to the pitch.

Releasing a video revealing the gruelling stages of his recovery, Antonio said previously: "Yes, 100 per cent. I will play again. It's the biggest injury I've ever had in my career.

"But the fact that I'm already two to three months ahead of where I should be, I know that I'll play again, and I know that once I'm playing the game I'll get the sharpness back.

"People have always doubted me. My mental strength is something that I've always believed in and this is just another setback, and it is not going to stop me."

Antonio will now be in the market for a new club after ending a 10-year stint with the Irons having joined the club from Nottingham Forest in 2015. The forward made 323 appearances, scored 83 goals and helped the club to the Conference League title in 2023.

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