MY ACCOUNT
Usain Bolt suggested he would give up his success on the track for Champions League glory.
Bolt is widely considered to be the greatest sprinter of all time and holds the world records in the 100 metres, 200 metres, and 4 × 100 metres relay.
The Jamaican won eight Olympic gold medals across his career.
However, athletics is not the only sport Bolt loves. A Manchester United fan, Bolt said in 2016 that it would be “a dream come true” if he were ever able to play for the club.
In 2018, Bolt appeared in a friendly for Norwegian side Stromsgodset and captained the World XI during the Soccer Aid charity match, held at Old Trafford. Later that year, he began a trial with Australian A-League side Central Coast Mariners and was subsequently offered a contract.
Though his football career was short-lived, Bolt has no regrets over how it went, and revealed he would happily swap his achievements to have won the Champions League.
“To play a career as long as these guys, definitely,” Bolt told ITV Sport ahead of United’s FA Cup meeting with Fulham on Sunday, referencing pundits Ian Wright, Roy Keane and Karen Carney.
“I love football that much. To win the Champions League, score in the final, would be brilliant.
“[Playing football] was something I always wanted to try. I watched and loved the game so much – why not give it a try?
“I was very serious but it didn’t work out as I wanted it to. I really enjoyed the effort and the process.”
Asked what position he preferred, Bolt quipped: “I was a striker – of course! The pace, I’m quicker than [Marcus] Rashford!”
