Michail Antonio once named ex-Leeds, Swansea and Reading star above Eden Hazard as toughest opponent | OneFootball

Michail Antonio had a surprising pick when asked for his toughest opponent during his time at West Ham

Michail Antonio spent 10 years at West Ham and played against some of the best players in the world during that time.

The 36-year-old signed for the Hammers from Nottingham Forest after they finished 12th in the Premier League table.

The London outfit had just appointed Slaven Bilic, and Antonio cemented himself as a core part of the first team squad under the Croatian.

He went on to become a key part of the side over the next 10 years, making a total of 323 appearances in all competitions, scoring on 83 occasions.

Michail Antonio’s toughest ever opponent

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Antonio revealed on the Beast Mode On podcast in 2025 that the toughest opponent he ever faced did not come against one of the top Premier League sides, or against one of West Ham’s opponents in their European escapades.

Instead, he highlighted former Swansea City striker Mo Barrow, who played a pivotal role for the Welsh outfit as they won 4-1 in one of the final games at Upton Park before the Hammers moved to the London Stadium.

The former West Ham star was playing at full-back, and he praised the impact Barrow had on the game, claiming he was tougher to mark than the likes of Eden Hazard, Antony Martial or Marcus Rashford.

"You know who ripped me the most? You wouldn't even know who he is.

“Mo Barrow.

“No one will know who he is. Swansea.

“I marked Martial, Hazard, Rashford, all these people and I done well.

“The one who ripped me the most was Mo Barrow.

"They won 3-0 (it was 4-1) all from him.

“One skill, you know when you drag it back, through my legs.

“The worst thing about is I stop there like 'oh s***, he got me' I didn't even chase back.

“He destroyed me and I was like Mo, out of all the people."

Barrow provided the assist for Ki Sung-yueng, who made it 3-0 in the opening stages of the season half, as Swansea went on to win 4-1 and dent the Hammers’ hopes of a top four finish.

Mo Barrow’s impact on English football

Barrow made the move to English football in 2014 when he signed for Swansea from Swedish side Ostersund, but he went out on loan to Nottingham Forest in January 2025 after a minimal impact on the Welsh outfit in the first half of the campaign.

He had another spell out on loan with Blackburn Rovers before returning to Swansea in November 2015.

The forward made a total of 51 appearances in the Premier League for the Swans, scoring on just one occasion and providing five assists.

Barrow had another loan move to Leeds United in 2017 before he signed for Reading on a permanent basis later that year.

After three years with the Royals, the Gambia international departed England for South Korea.

Michail Antonio’s West Ham career

During Antonio’s 10 year career at West Ham he played under the likes of Bilic, David Moyes, Manuel Pellegrini, Julen Lopetegui and Graham Potter.

The forward also played against top stars like Kevin de Bruyne, Mo Salah, Sadio Mané, and the aforementioned trio of Martial, Rashford and Hazard.

However, his position within the squad changed frequently, particularly in his first few seasons with the club, as he played at full-back, wing-back and winger, before becoming their leading striker.

Antonio was part of the squad that achieved UEFA Conference League success in 2023, but departed in 2025 following the expiration of his contract.

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West Ham’s move to Qatar

West Ham fans will remember Antonio’s time with the club fondly, even if Barrow is a surprising option for his toughest opponent.

The 36-year-old struggled in the 4-1 defeat, and the London outfit ultimately lost out on a place in the Champions League, coming sixth in the Premier League table.

By 2025, Antonio’s fitness was a major concern after significant off-field issues, including a road accident.

The forward returned to action in 2026 with Qatari side Al-Sailiya, but he made just four appearances for the club after agreeing to a two-month contract.