Here’s the Surprising Reason Why Usain Bolt is a Manchester United Fan

Published 10/06/2021, 1:44 AM EDT

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Track and field legend, Usain Bolt is also a football aficionado. Notably, an adherent Red Devil, Bolt is a huge Manchester United fan.

Cheering on his team, he was recently spotted in the stands as United faced Villarreal in the UEFA Champions League. In fact, like many others, Bolt also predicted Ronaldo to be on the scoresheet, guiding Man United to glory. Notably, Ronaldo did just that.

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After retiring from the track in 2017, Bolt started a second career as a professional footballer, trialing for the Norwegian club Strømsgodset and then for the Australian team Central Coast Mariners. A true fan, Bolt hopes to play for Manchester United someday.

“This guy is one of the best”: Usain Bolt

Popularly known as the ‘Lightning Bolt,’ Usain once revealed in 2017 through an interview that Ruud van Nistelrooy is the reason why he’s a Manchester United Fan today.

Ruud is currently a Dutch football coach and a former Manchester player. Notably, he was one of the best strikers of his time.

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via Getty

“Ruud was the one who made me start supporting Manchester United. Just watching him play, a striker at the level he was, playing for United,” Bolt told the reporter.

“It was like ‘this guy is one of the best’, you know what I mean, and, for me, he is why I started watching Manchester United. I never turned back and I’ve just seen great players after great players coming to United and doing a great job.”

Recently, Bruno Fernandes poured out his gratitude and admiration towards Usain. Tweeting a picture alongside the sprinting legend, he wrote, “A true legend. A true United fan. So much respect and admiration for you.”

WATCH STORY– Lewis Hamilton Congratulates Usain Bolt on His Hit Debut Album ‘Country Yutes’

 Bolt’s footballing stint

Bolt once joked about being a professional footballer. He said that if he ever considers being a professional football player, he might not be the best but would be at Wayne Rooney’s level.

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via Reuters

“I’m not going to lie,” he said. “I’m not going to be the best footballer in the world. But I’d be at a good level, I’d say. Maybe Wayne Rooney level.”

“I’ve had different people suggest different teams and suggest ways to get into football. We’ve been looking into these things, but we’re not sure what’s going on yet.” 

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Does Bolt have what it takes to ignite his footballing career?

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Written by:

Richa Goswami

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Richa Goswami is a US Sports writer at EssentiallySports. As an adherent learner, she uses her journalistic persona to navigate through new skills. Richa has completed her schooling at Don Bosco.
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