Usain Bolt has revealed that he has sustained a ruptured Achilles after he was stretchered off the pitch at this year’s Soccer Aid.
Goals from Joe Cole, Ellen White, Steven Bartlett, Jermain Defoe, Billy Wingrove and Theo Walcott sealed England a comprehensive 6-3 victory over the World XI as more than £15million was raised for charity at the annual event.
However, Bolt’s injury put a slight dampener on the occasion, with the 100m and 200m world-record holder, representing the World XI, clearly in some discomfort as he lay in a heap on the turf midway through the second half at Stamford Bridge.
Replays showed Bolt attempting to stop Defoe in his tracks as the ex-Tottenham striker burst forward before producing a trademark finish to make it 4-2 to England.
The legendary former sprinter – a regular fixture of the charity game in recent years – pulled up while making the challenge and had to be helped off the pitch on a stretcher by medical staff in concerning scenes in west London.
Fortunately, Bolt was able to applaud fans for their support as he was carried towards the tunnel at Chelsea’s stadium, but the Jamaican now looks set for a lengthy spell in recovery.
‘Raptured [sic] Anchilles but done know we a warrior,’ he told his followers in a message on X along with a photo of his right foot in a protective boot.
Former England forward White, the Lionesses’ all-time leading goalscorer, made history as she became Soccer Aid’s first ever female player to find the net with her first-half equaliser.
At the half-time break, Jermaine Jenas said it was a ‘big moment’ for the event and praised Jack Wilshere’s superb play in the build-up to the goal.
‘This is what Ellen has done her whole life,’ the ex-Tottenham and England midfielder said on ITV’s coverage of the match.
‘She just stuck it in the back of the net.
‘The quality from Jack is a joke but how many times have you seen her just there.
‘Sam Thompson’s at the back post trying to steal it! He’s desperate! But Ellen says: “This is mine!”
‘It’s a big, big moment, let’s be honest. It’s huge.’
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