10.000 watch Usain Bolt's football debut

The Jamaican was allowed to play for 20 minutes in the Australian first division team Central Coast Mariners' friendly against an amateur team on Friday - but the eight-time Olympic track and field champion didn't leave a lasting impression.

After being substituted in the 71st minute, Bolt missed his first contact with the ball, and the 32-year-old also seemed a bit unsteady. “I was a bit nervous,” Bolt admitted afterwards: “I would have liked more ball contact, but I'm not fit yet.” He was still satisfied: “It’s a wonderful moment to play at this high level in professional football.”

Back number 95 Bolt was initially deployed on the left wing with jersey number 95, but later moved more to the center. “He did some nice sprints, but he obviously still needs to learn when and where to make his runs,” said former Australian international Robbie Slater: “He also needs to get more confidence in grabbing the ball.”

The around 10.000 fans in the Central Coast Stadium still cheered Bolt, and there were fireworks when he came on. Bolt, a big Manchester United fan, has been training with the Central Coast Mariners since last week in a bid to promote himself for a contract. He was initially given unlimited time to do this.

During his active time as a sprinter, Bolt had already spoken openly about his later ambitions for a further career as a professional footballer. The fastest man in the world had used competition breaks several times to visit training clubs at top clubs such as English record champions Manchester United and Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund.

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10.000 watch Usain Bolt's football debut

Sprint king Usain Bolt made a rather unspectacular debut as a footballer.

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