During a charity soccer game organized to benefit UNICEAF, renowned former sprinter Usain Bolt incurred a severe injury, rupturing his Achilles tendon. The incident occurred on June 10, 2024, in a match intended to gather funds for underprivileged children.
Since retiring from athletics in 2017, Bolt had shifted his focus toward a career in soccer and was playing as a forward for the Soccer Aid World XI team when the injury happened. He experienced acute pain in his left heel after a rapid motion, leading to immediate medical attention on the field. Medical professionals confirmed the rupture of his Achilles tendon soon after.
The 35-year-old athlete was promptly removed from the playing field and taken to a local hospital for further diagnosis and treatment planning. Ricky Simms, Bolt’s representative, announced that Bolt would need to undergo surgery and preparations for the procedure were underway.
Despite previous stints training with soccer clubs like Borussia Dortmund, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Central Coast Mariners, Bolt has not yet secured a professional contract. Still, his aspiration to play soccer professionally remains strong.
Reacting to his injury, Bolt expressed a resilient spirit on social media, stating his intent to recover and return to soccer stronger than before, and appreciating the encouragement and good wishes from fans.
The event, hosted at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, succeeded in raising over $1 million for UNICEF, despite Bolt’s team, the Soccer Aid World XI, losing 4-3 against the England team.
While the full extent of Bolt’s injury is still under evaluation, he is expected to face a lengthy recovery process that will require several months of rehabilitation before he can consider returning to the soccer field.
