Bolt takes first steps on road to Theatre of Dreams
Usain Bolt has taken the first tentative steps towards his Manchester United dream after he joined Australian side Central Coast Mariners for his first training session yesterday.
The Jamaican did some light stretching, jogging and ball work with the rest of the squad in his maiden drill since being given the chance to win a playing contract by the A-League team. He showed glimpses of good control, but also some heavy touches.
“It’s just like track and field — the first day of training is always the roughest one. You can tell how much work you need to put in. But it felt OK, you know,” said Bolt.
The superstar athlete, who also celebrated his 32nd birthday yesterday, has been given an opportunity by the Mariners despite already trying out with teams in Germany, Norway and South Africa to no avail since retiring from athletics last year.
They hope to turn him into A-League material in time for the start of the 2018/19 season in October. And the Olympic champion said he was determined to prove any doubters wrong.
“I’m not setting myself any targets, I’m just going to put in the work,” he said. “This is my first chance to get to a level to play as a professional, so I don’t know what to expect. I’m just here to push myself.”
Despite starting a football career at an age when many are thinking about calling it quits, Bolt said he thrived on challenges and admitted in the back of his mind was a dream to play at Old Trafford.
“I daydream all the time about big things,” he said. “One of my biggest dreams is to play for Manchester United, that could be my biggest dream even if it is just for five games, one game, it would be a dream come true because I am a massive fan.”
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