Usain Bolt revealed he suffered a ruptured achilles tendon after being taken off on a stretcher during Soccer Aid.
Bolt captained Mauricio Pochettino‘s World XI side at Stamford Bridge in the annual charity match to raise funds for UNICEF.
England went into the game having suffered defeats in the last five Soccer Aid clashes but got off to a perfect start on Sunday as Joe Cole gave them the lead with a vintage finish.
But Bolt wouldn’t have to wait long to have his first impact on the game.
The 37-year-old was making his way towards goal before being on the receiving end of a brutal tackle from actor Danny Dyer on the edge of the penalty box.
Usain Bolt suffered a reptured achilles tendon whilst captaining the World XI at Soccer Aid
Bolt appeared to be in discomfort during the game but insisted he wanted to play on
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Eden Hazard stepped up to take the ensuing free-kick and levelled for World XI, wrong-footing David James with a curling strike around the wall.
Bolt was again at the centre of the action shortly after as he produced a deft turn inside the box to set up Alessandro Del Piero who duly converted from close range.
England remained resilient however, and after a stunning move from Jack Wilshere, Ellen White showed her poacher’s instincts haven’t abandoned her in retirement as she became first female goalscorer in the history of the event.
After the celebrity goalkeepers were introduced at half-time before teams wasted little time in testing their skills, with Dragons Den star Steven Bartlett making it 3-2 to England.
As the game wore on Bolt looked to be in some discomfort from an injury, but appeared to motion to his team’s bench that he was determined to continue playing on.
England’s momentum continued to grow throughout the second-half and Jermain Defoe darted forward as Bolt dropped back in a bid to halt the former England striker in his tracks.
However, before he was able to intervene, Bolt went down clutching his leg and subsequently had to be carried off on a stretcher by medical staff.
In a post on social media after the game, the football-loving sprinter revealed he had suffered a serious injury.
The eight-time gold medalist went down in the second-half just before Jermain Defoe netted for England
Bolt was subsequently carried off the pitch on a stretcher as he applauded the fans in attendance
England went on to triumph 6-3 at Stamford Bridge to capture their first Soccer Aid title in six years
‘Raptured Achilles but done know we a warrior.’ Bolt wrote on X alongside a photo of himself in crutches.
Defoe would score his goal just after the hour mark, before Tommy Wingrove hit back from the penalty spot.
The damage was already done though, and Bartlett added a second to his tally in a player-of-the-match-winning display as England won 6-3 to be crowned Soccer Aid champions for the first time since 2018.
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