The former fastest man in the world almost... almost... made it as a professional footballer following his retirement from professional sprinting in 2017. Considered the greatest ever in his field, a world record holder in 100m, 200m and 4x 100m relay. An eight time gold medalist and 11 time world champion, Bolt ran the 100m in 9.58 seconds in 2009 a feat that is yet to be broken. But despite his achievements in sprinting he had one other dream, to be become a professional footballer.
In an interview with the Guardian in 2016, Bolt said he wanted to become a professional footballer after his retirement, which came a year later. The Jamaican said it would be his dream to play for the club he supports Manchester United. However, playing football at the very top level with United, starting at aged 30 was virtually impossible. In 2018, Bolt began training with Norwegian side Strømsgodset and even played in a friendly against the Norway Under-19 side - he wore the number 9.58 alluding to his world record. That year he featured in Soccer Aid, a celebrity charity football match in the UK started by singer Robbie Williams.
It was with Australian A-League side Central Coast Mariners were Bolt nearly made it, on his 32nd birthday he began training with the side. He played in a friendly game 10 days later against a side made up of players from the local. On the 12th October that year he played again in a friendly against amateur side Macarthur South West and scored twice, playing up front with former Fulham, Aston Villa and Scotland forward Ross McCormack.
Six days later Bolt was offered a contract by Maltese Club, Valletta - but he turned it down. On 21st October, with help from the Australian FA, Central Coast offered bolt a contract, clearly impressed them enough. The PR and commercial side of signing him was something the club and the league really wanted. However, the terms could not be agreed he eventually left the club after eight weeks. Bolt was never really given a chance elsewhere and in January 2019 he decided to give up his dream of professional football and he said his career in sport is over.
The Beautiful Game nearly had the fastest man alive, but it seems that the level Bolt could play at was not as glamorous as playing for Manchester United. Now 34, it was just too late for him to consider playing professionally as it takes years of training and dedication to become a professional. We can always dream at what could have been.
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