Usain Bolt won’t call himself a footballer until he signs a professional contract
The Jamaican sprinter said last month he wouldn't call himself a footballer until he signed a contract with Central Coast Mariners. Photo: AAP
Usain Bolt doesn’t consider himself a footballer yet and doubts remain over his ability to earn an A-League contract with Central Coast, despite bagging his first brace.
Playing as a striker, Bolt scored two second half goals for the Mariners in their 4-0 win over Macarthur South West United at Campbelltown Sports Stadium in Sydney on Friday night.
His impressive first goal came from a strong run and fierce finish and the second was a tap into an empty goal following a collision between Macarthur’s goalkeeper and a defender.
Asked if would call himself a soccer player, legendary track athlete Bolt said: “until I sign (a contract), I’m not saying that.”
While Bolt and Mariners coach Mike Mulevy were pleased with his performance on Friday, doubts linger over whether he can improve enough to secure a contract.
His fitness is certainly better, but his ball control and on-field vision are patchy and Bolt himself concedes they are the two poorest aspects of his game.
With the A-League starting next week, Bolt is hoping the Mariners will soon provide some clarity on his prospects at the club.
“The season is coming up now, so we have to sit down after this game and figure out what we’re going to do but until then, I’m just here to train and to continue,”‘ Bolt said.
Bolt said he definitely felt ready to play in the A-League if required, but Mulvey reiterated it could still be a while before a decision is made on whether the Jamaican gets a contract.
‘I think we’re all in agreement that we’ll look about January,” Mulvey said.
With the youth league not starting until next month and Bolt unlikely to be considered ready for A-League duty just yet, that leaves the issue of where he will get games over the next few weeks.
Mulvey didn’t shed any light on that topic.
“I don’t know how that’s going to work, but my main mission is Brisbane next week, October 21,” Mulvey said, referring to the Mariners first-round A-League game.
Mulvey praised Bolt for the insights he had passed on to the club’s youngsters and the global exposure the Mariners and the region had received because of his presence.
-AAP
