CAPE TOWN – Former champion sprinter Usain Bolt will start his soccer career after all, in June. And it will be at Old Trafford…
But no, the Jamaican superstar athlete won’t be turning out for Manchester United – or Mamelodi Sundowns for that matter.
Bolt has long spoken about his admiration for United, and how he hoped to play for the Red Devils one day.
And his recent training stint at Sundowns’ Chloorkop headquarters led to speculation about whether he would turn out for the ‘Brazilians’.
The club itself added to the drama with a tweet on Monday stating: “Football will never be the same. Find out tomorrow 8am GMT! #Sundowns” with a picture of Bolt in the Sundowns training jersey.
It led to worldwide coverage, with even CNN International getting duped into believing that Bolt may sign for Sundowns.
The man himself loaded a video on his Twitter account on Sunday, where – clad in a Puma top, for whom he is an ambassador and who sponsors Sundowns – he said that he had “just signed for a football team”, which would be revealed on Tuesday.
But when the big announcement came at 10am South African time, Masandawana supporters were disappointed as Bolt will be playing for a Unicef side in the Soccer Aid charity game at Old Trafford, home of Manchester United, on June 10.
Bolt will be the captain for the Soccer Aid World XI, who will face an England team to raise funds for Unicef UK.
But what the match will provide is an opportunity to see if Bolt has what it takes to fulfil yet another sporting dream – becoming a professional footballer.
I've signed for a football team! Find out which one this Tuesday at 8am GMT 👀 pic.twitter.com/iFTlWxfy7x
— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) February 25, 2018