Featured Image Credit: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Topics: Usain Bolt, Olympics, Football, Premier League
Ben McCrum
Topics: Usain Bolt, Olympics, Football, Premier League
Usain Bolt has revealed that he's ready to join a viral non-league football team having suggested he could return to compete at the 2028 LA Olympic Games.
The Paris Olympic Games feel like they were just months ago but now, nearly two years later, all attention is looking ahead to the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
During the LA Olympics, American sprinter Noah Lyles and several others will no doubt look to finally beat the records set by Olympic legend Bolt, 39, who remains the fastest man ever to run the 100 and 200 metre races.
The Jamaican won gold in the 100 and 200 metre events at three consecutive Olympic Games – Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Rio 2016 – before announcing his retirement after the 2017 World Championships in London.
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However, Bolt has since teased that he could make a return to competing in sports both at the Olympics and otherwise, but it's not quite how you might expect it.
Nearly a decade on from Bolt’s retirement, he spoke about his legacy as the ‘World’s Fastest Man’ in an interview with Esquire, admitting that it “will never get old”.
Bolt was then asked if he would ever consider coming out of retirement to represent Jamaica at the LA Games, not as a sprinter, but as a member of the T20 cricket team ahead of the sport's inclusion following a 128-year hiatus from the Olympics.
He replied: “I am happily retired from professional sport.
"I haven’t played cricket in a long time, but if they call, I will be ready!”
Although it remains unlikely that Bolt will receive the call up for Jamaica's squad, his inclusion would no doubt be a welcome return to the Olympics for all fans of the legendary sprinter.
What is perhaps more likely, is that Bolt could make an appearance for viral Sunday league side Wythenshawe Vets, a team made up of players boasting nearly 2,000 Premier League appearances between them.
Premier League title winners Danny Drinkwater and Marc Albrighton are among the former top-flight players representing the team alongside the likes of former Manchester City star Stephen Ireland and ex-Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse.
In some occasions, players have stepped in to represent the team for just one fixture, with football legend Emile Heskey playing for the viral team in a match.
And now, Bolt has expressed an interest in coming out of retirement to join the team, should they offer him the chance to step out onto the pitch with a wealth of Premier League talent.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Bolt admitted: “Listen, I’m ready. I’m ready. If I get into some shape, I’m ready to go.”
Although some would initially think that this is a far-fetched dream, Bolt's history in football may suggest that he would actually consider linking up with the Wythenshawe Vets in the near future.
Following his retirement from sprinting Bolt, who is a lifelong Manchester United fan, was offered a contract with Australian side Central Coast Mariners in 2018 having impressed as he scored twice in a friendly for the club.
Bolt eventually turned down the deal as the Mariners were unable to meet his wage demands, but that hasn't stopped him from continuing to play football, representing the World XI in Soccer Aid on six occasions.