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Usain Bolt Being Eyed Up For Jamaican National Team Call-Up

Usain Bolt Being Eyed Up For Jamaican National Team Call-Up

The Jamaican FA president sounds optimistic about Bolt's chances...

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

The president of the Jamaican FA, Michael Ricketts, has revealed the Caribbean country are keen on calling Usain Bolt up to the national team if he shows he is good enough.

Eight-time Olympic Gold medalist Bolt has been lobbying for a professional contract with Central Coast Mariners having been on trial since August.

The world's fastest man scored his first goals a couple of weeks back but contract negotiations have stalled as it's been reported that the two parties are far apart in terms of wages. Mariners revealed they would likely need a third-party to step in and help cover costs.

Bolt has previously trained with German giants Borussia Dortmund, Sundowns in South Africa and Norway's Stromsgodset, while he rejected a two-year deal from Maltese champions Valletta FC.

Ricketts wishes Bolt had signed with a team in his native Jamaica but admitted they are watching him closely and will bring him into the fold if he does the business on the pitch.

Image: PA
Image: PA

"I am a little disappointed that Usain hasn't signed up with a Jamaican club," Ricketts told ESPN FC in an exclusive interview.

"That would give us a chance to see a lot more of him.

"If he shows he's good enough to make the Jamaican team then he will be called up, but we are following his progress - we are watching him closely. The coach will make a decision but we would love to see him in a serious, real match situation.

"We are hopeful because Usain would certainly be a crowd puller. If he turns up in a Jamaican outfit then a lot of people would want to turn up and watch Usain Bolt play football."

Image: PA
Image: PA

The 32-year old has represented his nation wonderfully on the track and Ricketts says many of the Jamaican players are in favour of him playing football for the Reggae Boyz.

"Usain has a special attribute in his speed," he added.

"If he can add a little bit of skill, some flair, he could supplement this Jamaican team. The players would certainly welcome someone like Usain. I have had informal discussions with some of them and they are excited at the prospect of playing with Usain.

"If he can make the transition from being a superstar on the track to being a good enough football player, then we will certainly call him up."

Ricketts' comments should serve as great encouragement for Bolt, especially after some of the criticism he has received in recent times.

Former Republic of Ireland striker Andy Keogh said he has a "touch like a trampoline."

"If there's someone who genuinely thinks he'd be a good football addition, I don't think they should be in a position to make those calls,"the Perth Glory forward added.

Boltt then fired back at haters on Instagram with a defiant message.

Image: Instagram/@usainbolt
Image: Instagram/@usainbolt

"They say Bolt [is] wasting his time," he wrote. "They laugh at the dream... They ridicule the hard work...

"Listen [to] me, youths... Every country Yute [sic], Every ghetto Yute [sic], work hard at your dream and let not [a] single soul tell you that can't achieve...

"Remember: if you don't try, you've already failed... My team keeps doing the damn thing."

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Football News, Football, Jamaica, Usain Bolt