Usain Bolt scored two goals on Friday in his first start as a trainee for Australia’s Central Coast Mariners football team.
The 32-year-old Jamaican track star, who is in an “indefinite training period,” struck his signature lightning bolt pose after his 2nd goal, in a 4-0 win over Macarthur South West.
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After the game, the eight-time Olympic gold medalist told reporters “Dreams become reality through hard work.”
He added: “My first start and scoring 2 goals, it’s a good feeling. I’m happy I could come here and show the world I’m improving. I’m keen to be a Mariner, to play my best and get into the team.”
One Twitter user noted: “True athletes will succeed in any sport they do if they put enough time and effort into it.”
True athletes will succeed in any sport they do if they put enough time and effort into it ?
— Jawad El-Zein (@JawadElZein2) October 13, 2018
Another tweeted to player/coach Michael Kmet (@Marinermick) and team @CCMariners asking: “Do you think bolt would have been given a chance at your club or any pro club had he been a 32 year old non famous person?”
Do you think bolt would have been given a chance at your club or any pro club had he been a 32 year old non famous person?
— stevenpasha (@stevenpasha) October 13, 2018
When user @stevenpasha gripped that Bolt’s presence is “All that’s wrong in football while academy kids struggle to play pro,” adding: “why not just be big fast strong and famous…” Kmet fired back with “If you are not fast and strong you will never be a professional footballer. That is the reality of pro football today.”
If you are not fast and strong you will never be a professional footballer. That is the reality of pro football today.
— Michael Kmet (@Marinermick) October 13, 2018
Bolt retired from sports in 2017 but has since tried launching a professional football (soccer) career. He hopes to secure a place with the Australian club for its upcoming season, The Associated Press reported.
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“I’m here to prove to the world, as I said, that I can be a footballer,” Bolt said during a press conference on Friday, according to an ESPN video. “I can go push myself and see how far I can go.” He added: “I’m just excited to take it step by step and move forward.”
When asked what it was like to score his first goal, he replied, “It was brilliant.”
“It takes all the weight off your shoulders, that first goal, to relax you.”