Former Olympic sprinter Usain Bolts is calling it quits with his soccer career.
Eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt has retired yet again.
The world record holder told Reuters’ Kayon Raynor that he’s ready to hang up his soccer cleats, ending his short-lived career.
Bolt made his professional debut back in August 2018 with Central Coast Mariners. The team is in the A-League, which is Australia’s top tier. In November 2018, he left the club after both sides could not agree on his new contract.
“I don’t want to say it wasn’t dealt with properly, but I think we went about it, not the way we should,” Bolt said. “You learn your lesson, you live and you learn.
It was a good experience. I really enjoyed just being in a team and it was must different from track and field and it was fun while it lasted.”
Here it is, @usainbolt, the footballer, scores his maiden Mariners goal. What a moment! Don't think limits! ⚡️ #SWSvCCM #CCMFC 🎥@FOXFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/X7zrqmrYCZ
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) October 12, 2018
Bolt reportedly turned down a $150,000 deal from Central Coast Mariners to continue playing. He said he would give himself time to either find a new team or stop playing altogether. This recent news confirms his latter decision.
But either way, the 32-year-old left behind an exciting pro soccer moment. Bolt had experiences with Norway’s Strømsgodset Toppfotball and Germany’s Borussia Dortmund. He also went away with a two-goal highlight in an Australian friendly match.
Even though he is ending his soccer career, that does not mean the end of the Bolt era. The former Olympic sprint gold medalist in Beijing, London and Rio is now focused on new business endeavors.
“I’m just doing many different things … the sports life is over, so I’m now moving into different businesses, I have a lot of things in the pipeline, so as I say, I’m just dabbling in everything and trying to be a businessman now.”
