West Ham‘s Michail Antonio has revealed that a former Leeds United player, Modou Barrow, gave him the most trouble on the pitch. Antonio, now a seasoned Premier League striker, started his career as a right-back. He faced some of the world’s best wingers, but one lesser-known player stood out.
Antonio names ex-Leeds winger Modou Barrow as toughest opponent
Antonio surprisingly named Modou Barrow as his toughest opponent. Barrow, who also played for Swansea and Reading, apparently tormented Michail Antonio in one particular match. Despite battling against stars like Eden Hazard and Marcus Rashford, Antonio singled out Barrow’s performance as uniquely challenging.
“Nobody will know who he is, Mo Barrow, when he was at Swansea, I have marked Martial, Hazard, Rashford, I have marked all of these people but the one who ripped me the most was Mo Barrow,” Antonio said. As a result, Antonio still remembers that match vividly.
Michail Antonio recalled a specific game where Barrow completely overwhelmed him. He admitted being thoroughly surprised by Barrow’s skill and directness. According to Antonio, Barrow’s pace and trickery were exceptionally difficult to handle.
Revisiting the match where Mo Barrow troubled Michail Antonio
Antonio’s memory of the game isn’t entirely accurate. The match he’s likely referring to was a 4-1 defeat in 2016, not a 3-0 loss. Barrow did provide an assist in that game, consistently attacking Antonio down the flank. In contrast, Michail Antonio had an unusual game himself, managing five shots from right-back.
Barrow’s attacking focus was evident. He delivered five crosses despite making only eight passes. Meanwhile, Antonio was heavily involved in West Ham’s attack. He put in nine crosses, contributing to a high-action game on his side of the pitch.
West Ham benefited from Antonio’s move to striker
It’s clear why West Ham eventually moved Antonio into a more attacking role. He thrived as a striker, becoming a key player for the club. As a result, Antonio was spared from having to face Barrow again. He has since become a mainstay in the West Ham attack.
Antonio’s experience highlights that even the most physical players can struggle against less-heralded opponents. Ultimately, his success as a striker is a testament to his adaptability. It seems that the challenge posed by Barrow ultimately shaped Antonio’s career for the better.
