” CAREER THREATENED”: Usain Bolt reveals his injuries from Soccer Aid with the use of a stretcher.
Usain Bolt reveals his injuries from Soccer Aid with the use of a stretcher.
Usain Bolt has disclosed that during Sunday’s Soccer Aid charity match at Stamford Bridge, he sustained a ruptured Achilles tendon. The 37-year-old, who was making his first trip out to the field since leaving the Blues last month, captained the World XI under the direction of former manager Mauricio Pochettino.
It’s estimated that more over £15 million was raised for UNICEF after England won the yearly match for the first time since 2018. After return hero Eden Hazard had thrilled the supporters by canceling out Joe Cole’s first goal with a free kick, Ellen White made Soccer Aid history by becoming the first female goal scorer and drawing the two teams equal.
Bolt had assisted Italian superstar Alessandro Del Piero in giving the World XI the lead, but White’s game-winning tap following Jack Wilshere’s crazy run made sure the second half was set up well.
Star of Dragons Den Steven Bartlett scored twice, and Jermain Defoe also found the scorebook. Billy Wingrove’s late penalty gave the World XI hope, but the game finished 5-3.
Bolt, who had already seemed to be dealing with an injury, went down clutching his leg during Defoe’s goal. After the match, the eight-time gold medallist informed followers on his injury via a post on X, the former Twitter platform, before being stretchered off. He wrote, “Raptured Achilles but done know we a warrior.”
All told, Soccer Aid has raised over £100 million for UNICEF since its founding in 2006. UNICEF is a worldwide nonprofit that promotes child health and nutrition, clean water and sanitation, high-quality education and skill development, HIV prevention and treatment for mothers and babies, and the defense of children and adolescents against abuse and exploitation.
