Athletics legend Usain Bolt insists he is serious about realising his dream of becoming a top-class footballer after training with Borussia Dortmund.
“I really want to try and make it professionally, to play at a high level,” the sprint superstar told reporters on Friday at the German league club.
“My goal is to make a top team and play in one of the top leagues in the world.”
Having already trained with the team behind closed doors on Thursday, Friday’s open session could be seen as a publicity stunt as both Bolt and Dortmund are sponsored by Puma.
The Bundesliga club live-streamed the training session and in China alone 1.2 million viewers tuned in.
The 31-year-old Bolt insists he is deadly serious about starting a new career – at an age when most footballers are hanging up their boots.
As expected, Bolt, the 100m and 200m world record holder, showed phenomenal pace over the turf.
He was proud of the header he scored in a practice game, but admits having much to learn.
“I’m tall, so it’s one of the things I have practised over the years,” he said of his header with sweat pouring down his face.
“I was working hard out there, I wanted to play my best, move and give the guys options.”
Bolt, a Manchester United fan, is already due to play at the club’s iconic Old Trafford stadium in a charity football match on June 10.
Bolt will line up opposite British pop star Robbie Williams and captain the Soccer Aid World XI in a match to raise funds for the United Nations Children’s Fund, Unicef.
