Not quite sure about this, Usain
Usain Bolt has bizarrely blamed his failed spell in the A-League on the poor quality of opposition and admitted that signing for Central Coast Mariners was ‘a mistake’.
The legendary sprinter signed for the Mariners four years ago in a surprise move, with the Jamaican achieving his dream of playing professional football after quitting athletics in 2017.
Despite featuring in two pre-season games for Central Coast, evening scoring twice, Bolt quit his trial in November 2018 after rejecting a one-season deal with the club.
Bolt slams standard of football in Australia
Now, the 35-year-old has suggested that he ‘made a mistake’ by signing for the Mariners, and that the level of football ‘wasn’t good’.
“I made a mistake,” Bolt said in an interview ahead of last month’s UNICEF Soccer Aid charity match.
“When I retired from track and field, I didn’t want to stay in Europe because of the media. 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.”
Usain Bolt with an interesting reason why his trial at Central Coast Mariners & A-League opportunity didn’t work out… 🤔🤥 pic.twitter.com/6g0CjkQTh1
— Football Shirt Finds Australia (@FtblShirtsAus) July 4, 2022
‘Financial reasons’ cited at time of Bolt’s departure
When the Jamaican left Central Coast Mariners, financial reasons were highlighted as the main factor behind his decision to leave the A-League.
It is thought that the Australian club offered him a $150,000-a-year deal, but Bolt’s agent was looking for a $3million sum to secure his signature.
The eight-time Olympic medallist has previously admitted that he found professional football more difficult than he expected it to be. However, he also claimed that he did not ‘get a fair chance’ during his trial with Central Coast.
Related links:
- Video of Usain Bolt’s treatment of staff proves the person he is
- Usain Bolt has officially retired from professional football
- A-League defender scores Puskas contender with outrageous scorpion kick
