Usain Bolt Signs Up For Summer 2018 Soccer Aid Charity Game At Old Trafford

Eight-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt has officially signed up to play in a charity soccer game at Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium this summer.

Usain Bolt soccer charity game news

The 31-year-old Jamaican sprinter — who is the 100-meter world record holder — retired from athletics in August 2017 after an illustrious career.

On Sunday, he tweeted a video announcing he will captain a World XI team that will take on a team led by British singer Robbie Williams in a celebrity-filled matchup at Old Trafford on June 10 intended to raise money for UNICEF, the world-renown organization dedicated to helping children in impoverished nations.

Bolt jabbed Williams in the promotional video, saying: “stick to singing, and leave the football to me.”

It has not yet been announced what other non-soccer celebrities will participate in the game.

Bolt, a longtime Manchester United fan, has been strongly suggesting for some time that he would like to play for the Premier League club, led by manager Jose Mourinho. 

“I watch a lot of football, I understand it, I play it,” Bolt said last year. “With training, I could be good. Me and [Paul] Pogba talk a lot. I watch and ask him a lot of questions. I want to play but it has to be in the top league. I’m not content to be average.

“I strive to be the best and if I get a chance to play for a team like Manchester United it will be a massive deal.”

Whether or not the Jamaican will actually pursue a long-term soccer career with the Red Devils remains uncertain. Regardless, there is no doubt that his incredible speed would help any squad he may choose to join.

Bolt added: “It is my dream to make it as a professional footballer, so to be able to step out onto the pitch at Old Trafford in June, and play against some of football’s biggest legends is going to be remarkable.

“I enjoy the thrill of competition in front of a crowd, so Robbie and his England team better watch out as I won’t be going easy on them!

“I’ve got a pretty special celebration planned for when I score, by the way.”

Bolt ran the 100-meters in a jaw-dropping, world-record 9.58 seconds.

In November 2016, just three months after competing at the Rio Olympics, Bolt appeared on The Late Late Show with James Corden, and faced off in a hilarious rap battle with the English comedian in the latter’s popular segment “Drop the Mic,” which has now become its own television series on TBS.

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 14: Usain Bolt of Jamaica celebrates winning the Men’s 100m Final on Day 9 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on August 14, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)