Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Usain Bolt, Football, A League, Olympics, Athletics
James Taylor
Usain Bolt once turned down a professional football contract after making huge demands during negotiations.
The legendary Jamaican sprinter is widely considered as one of the greatest athletes of all time.
He won eight Olympic gold medals across three Games in an illustrious career.
Bolt still holds the world record in both the 100m and 200m events, more than 15 years after he set them both.
Advert
After the 2017 World Championships in London, he made the decision to hang up his spikes and start a career in professional football.
As a lifelong Manchester United fan, Bolt made no secret of his desire to pull on the red shirt at Old Trafford.
But his career started in Australia with the Central Coast Mariners, who brought the Jamaican in on a trial.
Advert
He made two appearances in pre-season, scoring twice for the largely unknown A-League side.
His first goal, which saw him sprint past a defender before firing into the bottom corner, has been shared millions of times on social media.
But Bolt's career quickly came to an end when the Mariners offered him a $150,000 contract for one season.
The Jamaican star is reported to have asked for $3 million to join the A-League side in response.
Advert
After Soccer Aid in 2022, Bolt appeared to regret his decision to move to Australia.
He said: “When I retired from track and field, I didn’t want to stay in Europe because the media was going to be all over it.
"So I went to Australia, but the level of football there wasn’t good. I should have stayed in Europe.
“After a year of trials I just said, you know what, let’s just move on from that. So I moved on.”
Advert
His playing career came to an abrupt end following his failure to agree terms with the Mariners.
But it has now been revealed that Bolt will own a team in the new Baller League USA, according to @sweatyg0al on Instagram.
Advert
Baller League is a new six-a-side indoor football tournament.
It was founded by the entrepreneur Felix Starck, alongside former players Mats Hummels and Lukas Podolski.
12 clubs compete in the league, playing each other in two 15-minute halves, with a series of unique rules designed to keep young people engaged.
British YouTuber KSI was announced as the president for the UK edition, while American streamer IShowSpeed has taken the same role for the American edition.
The UK competition has already taken place, while US tournament will take place later this year.