It’s over! Usain Bolt’s football dream in Australia collapses
Sprint king Usain Bolt’s attempt to become a professional footballer with Australia’s Central Coast Mariners collapsed as his trial period was terminated after contract talks failed.
The eight-time Olympic champion had been trying out with the A-League side for an indefinite period since arriving in August, hoping to fulfil a childhood dream to become a football player.
The 32-year-old’s quest garnered worldwide attention, which intensified when he scored two goals in a pre-season friendly. But his abilities were questioned and the club reportedly offered him only a fraction of the AUD$3 million his management were said to be seeking with outside sponsors needed to make the deal viable. “Despite several promising potential partners, both Bolt and the Central Coast Mariners have amicably concluded that they will not be able to settle on a suitable deal in a timely manner,” Mariners stated.
DE BRUYNE OUT
Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne will be out for more than a month after suffering knee ligament damage against Fulham in the League Cup, his club said in a statement on Friday.
The Belgian playmaker was substituted in the 85th minute of City’s 2-0 win over Fulham at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday after opposing defender Timothy Fosu-Mensah landed heavily on his left knee. “(De Bruyne) underwent scans on Friday,” City said in a statement. “No surgery is needed but he is expected to be out for between 5-6 weeks.”
MESSI LEFT OUT
SYDNEY:
Lionel Messi was again left out of the Argentina squad announced for two friendlies against Mexico later this month, while players from Copa Libertadores finalists Boca Juniors and River Plate were also omitted.
Messi’s omission is no surprise as he hasn’t played in any of four previous friendlies since the end of the World Cup in Russia and is believed to have asked to be excused from non-competitive matches for the rest of the year.
Argentina are due to face Mexico in Cordoba on November 16 and then again in Mendoza four days later.
But with the two-legged Copa Libertadores final between the two giants of Buenos Aires, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni opted not to include Boca and River players in his 30-man list.
Even so, there was no room either for Angel Di Maria, Sergio Aguero or Gonzalo Higuain.
MANCHESTER: BUENOS AIRES: