Bolt: 'I didn't get a fair chance' as professional footballer

Olympic icon Usain Bolt maintains that he could've built a career as a professional footballer had he been given the opportunity.

The eight-time Olympic gold medalist says he didn't get a fair shot while on trial in Australia with the Central Coast Mariners in 2018. Bolt, who scored a pair of goals in friendly appearances for the club, wasn't offered a contract by the A-League team.

Maltese side Valletta put a two-year deal on the table at the time, but Bolt turned it down.

"I think I didn't get a fair chance," the retired Jamaican sprinter told Wide World of Sports of his spell with the Australian team. "I didn't do it how I wanted to do it, but it's something I think I would've been good at.

"But it's just one of those things you miss out on and just have to move on."

Bolt, an avid Manchester United fan, added: "I do think about it sometimes that it didn't work out the way that I wanted it to, because football is something that I love."

The 33-year-old, who became a father earlier this year, says he's closed the book on a potential football career.

"I've had calls of people asking me if I really want to (go back to football), but after the time period has passed, I'm like, 'You know what, I'm getting old, let's just retire,' and I now have my daughter so she keeps me busy," he said.

Bolt and his girlfriend, Kasi Bennett, welcomed daughter Lightning Olympia Bolt in May.