LIVERPOOL football legend, Jamie Carragher, took on the fastest man of all time, Usain Bolt, and incredibly beat the 100-metre world record holder in a race to the ball during Soccer Aid 2021 as England faced a World XI in the annual charity match.
Never known for his pace during his playing days, Jamie, who somehow got the better of his super-fast opponent, still suffered embarrassment as the ball hit him on the back of the head as he ducked an aerial challenge.
Aimed at helping UNICEF UK support children around the world, the charity match on Saturday raised a record £13 mil (RM74.5 mil).
Despite Jamie’s efforts to keep Bolt in his pocket with the help of centre-half partner and fellow Sky Sports pundit, Gary Neville, England eventually lost 3-0.
Wearing the number 9.58 on his back to represent his 100m world record, the Jamaican star, shot wide of David James' goal instead of scoring after being played through one-on-one.
The 35-year-old athlete was fouled on multiple occasions by Jamie, who used all his defensive nous to avoid being beaten for pace.
Remarkably, it was not the Jamaican sprinter but singer-songwriter, Tom Grennan, who posted the fastest time of 32km/h on the pitch.
On the other hand, fans were split on Jamie’s performance, with some impressed by the way he kept Usain in his pocket while others took issue with his overly-physical approach.
One viewer tweeted: ‘(Jamie) Carragher is handling (Usain) Bolt too easily’, while another agreed, saying: ‘(Jamie) Carragher taking out Usain Bolt is very funny to me. Beauty of soccer aid.’
Another fan posted: ‘(Gary) Neville and (Jamie) Carragher are the best CB partnership I never wanted to see.’
Excluding Saturday's match, Soccer Aid has raised more than £36 mil (RM206.4 mil) since it started in 2006. – Agencies, September 7, 2021
