Usain Bolt has "a bit of work to do" to realise pro football dream
After training with Bolt in January, Mamelodi Sundowns' Jeremy Brockie has given his thoughts on the star's bid to become a football player.
Mamelodi Sundowns player Jeremy Brockie says Usain Bolt has "a little bit of work to do" if he's to make it as a professional footballer.
Bolt keen to turn hand to football after track retirement
Having retired from athletics after last summer's World Championships, sprint legend Bolt says he is "very serious" about seeking a career in soccer, and in January joined in a training session with the South African club.
The eight-time Olympic gold medallist, 31, is also set to have a trial with Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund in March and, in the wake of the announcement of David Beckham's Major League Soccer franchise in Miami last week, told the former England captain: "If you need a striker, I'm the guy".
"It's very easy saying you want to become a footballer..."
But while Brockie recognises that pace certainly won't be an issue for Bolt, Sundowns' New Zealand forward appears not to have been bowled over by what he saw on the Premier Soccer League champions' training ground.
"It's very easy saying that you want to become a professional footballer," Brockie said in an interview with the Olympic Channel, "and it's a whole different story being, I think he's 31, and then trying to start.
"He's very quick so he won't have a problem in that side of the field and he had some nifty footwork as well. [He] rated himself as an attacking player. He's got that same confidence and swagger that he has on the sprinting track.
"[But] if I had to give an honest opinion based off the little hour that we trained with him, he's probably still got a little bit of work to do."
"I did ask if there was any truth to the Man United stuff"
A big fan of Manchester United, Bolt has revealed that it is one of his "biggest dreams" to play for the Red Devils - and, as a fellow supporter of the Premier League giants, Brockie admitted that he couldn't resist the temptation to ask the Jamaican about his Old Trafford aspirations.
"I'm a Manchester United fan so it's quite exciting," Brockie explained. "I did have a quick chat and ask if there was any truth to the Man United stuff and when I'm going to be seeing him wear a Man United shirt.
"He said that he needs to go back to Jamaica and get fit for a month. He's got a trial lined up with Dortmund and then he said he'll see where it goes from there."