Usain Bolt will fulfil his dream and play at Old Trafford. However, this will not be in the shirt of a professional footballer and instead in a charity match for UNICEF.
Excited to announce that I will be playing in @socceraid for @UNICEF_uk 2018 at Old Trafford on Sunday 10th June. Make sure you're ready @robbiewilliams! ⚽️🌍 pic.twitter.com/t2sDB1iLP8
— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) 27 de febrero de 2018
UNICEF shirt for Bolt's Old Trafford debut
The legendary sprinter had teased his followers on social media on Sunday by stating he had "signed for a football team" and that he would announce it on Tuesday morning. And the Jamaican was true to his word, tweeting information about the annual Soccer Aid match which pits a selection of ex-players and celebrities together to raise money for good causes.
I've signed for a football team! Find out which one this Tuesday at 8am GMT 👀 pic.twitter.com/iFTlWxfy7x
— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) 25 February 2018
Sundown publicity stunt
The other party that, possibly cleverly, played a role in this communication frenzy was South African club Mamelodi Sundown. On Monday they posted a photo of Bolt hinting that they were the team he was signing for. The social media reaction to this was mixed: some saying this was a great publicity stunt, others - generally those from South Africa - suggesting it was embarrassing that everyone was so ready to believe that Bolt was good enough for the league.
Football will never be the same. Find out tomorrow 8am GMT! 😏👆 #Sundowns pic.twitter.com/nifRZFR62s
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) 26 de febrero de 2018