Usain Bolt has revealed he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during Sunday’s Soccer Aid charity match at Stamford Bridge.
The 37-year-old captained the World XI coached by former Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino, who was making his first return to the ground since leaving the club last month.
More than £15m is believed to have been raised for UNICEF as England claimed their first victory in the annual fixture since 2018.
Ellen White became the first female scorer in Soccer Aid history and sent the two teams in level after returning hero Eden Hazard had delighted the crowd by scoring a free-kick to cancel out Joe Cole’s opener.
Bolt had played a part in putting the World XI ahead with an assist for Italian legend Alessandro Del Piero but White’s history-making tap after a mazy run from Jack Wilshere ensured the second-half was teed-up nicely.
Dragons Den star Steven Bartlett bagged a brace, while Jermain Defoe got on the scoresheet. A late penalty from Billy Wingrove gave the World XI hope but the match ultimately ended 5-3.
Raptured Achilles but done know we a warrior 💪🏿 pic.twitter.com/vKYtHqOFTj
— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) June 9, 2024
It was during Defoe’s goal when Bolt – who had appeared to be struggling with an injury anyway – went down clutching his leg.
The eight-time gold medalist was subsequently stretchered off and updated fans on his injury after the game with a post on X, formerly Twitter.
“Raptured Achilles but done know we a warrior,” he wrote.
Soccer Aid’s overall tally since its inception in 2006 stands at over £100m raised for UNICEF, which is a global charity that supports child health and nutrition, safe water and sanitation, quality education and skill building, HIV prevention and treatment for mothers and babies, and the protection of children and adolescents from violence and exploitation.
