Former Olympic champion Usain Bolt has revealed he has ruptured his Achilles tendon after being taken off on a stretcher during Soccer Aid.
The Jamaican 100m and 200m world-record holder wore the captain's armband for the World XI against England at Stamford Bridge but was unable to complete the match. The injury proved an additional dampener for former Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino's side as his opponents, led by Frank Lampard, recorded a 6-3 win thanks to goals from Joe Cole, Ellen White, Steven Bartlett, Jermain Defoe, Billy Wingrove and Theo Walcott.
After attempting to stop Defoe from extending England's lead to 4-2, the Manchester United supporter, who has previously spent time training with Borussia Dortmund, lay in a heap. Bolt pulled up while attempting too make a challenge and required a stretcher to leave the field.
Following the game, Bolt took to social media to reveal the extent of injury. He appeared to remain in good spirits however.
"Raptured [sic] Achilles but done know we a warrior," he posted to X alongside a photograph of himself in the changing rooms in west London. The 37-year-old was pictured with crutches and his right foot was in a protective boot.
The event saw Eden Hazard make his return to Chelsea and score a free kick at his former ground. The Belgian retired from professional football in October last year after leaving Real Madrid.
Soccer Aid has raised more than £106million for charity since its inception in 2006 and this edition amounted to more than £15m, to set a record for the game. England's side wore a retro 1996 kit in front of a sold-out crowd at Stamford Bridge.
Image:
PA)Bolt was not the only player to leave the field injured as Emmett Scanlan departed with a pulled groin after starting the game. The actor admitted ahead of the match that he had never played football before.
It was England's first Soccer Aid win since 2018. On that occasion the home nation required penalties to edge the match following a 3-3 draw.
History was made on Sunday evening through Ellen White's goal. The ex-Lionesses star became the first female goalscorer in the history of the exhibition match.
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