Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt took part in a 5-a-side football exhibition match at Mukesh Mills, Mumbai, as part of an event organised by PUMA India to mark the country’s growing football culture. The match featured players from Mumbai City FC and Bengaluru FC, alongside actors and PUMA ambassadors.
Bolt, a known football enthusiast and PUMA brand ambassador, played across both teams, contributing with brief bursts of pace and involvement during the match. The event was attended by fans, athletes, and entertainers.
The match began with Bollywood actor and PUMA ambassador Kareena Kapoor Khan conducting the toss, which was won by Bengaluru FC. She remained on the sidelines, supporting both teams during the game.
“Football has been one of my first loves after Track & Field, and playing in Mumbai alongside athletes, celebrities, and fans was electric. The passion, the noise, the atmosphere, this is the kind of high that stays with you long after the final whistle," said Usain Bolt.
Players including Sunil Chhetri and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu featured in the match, along with Mumbai City FC and PUMA ambassadors Suresh Wangjam, Akash Mishra, and Phurba Lachenpa. Actors Dino Morea and Aparshakti Khurana also participated.
Commenting on the visit, Karthik Balagopalan, Managing Director, PUMA India, said, “Usain Bolt’s visit to India is about celebrating the joy of sport and creating experiences that fans will remember forever. With this unique football match, PUMA brought together icons from sport and entertainment on one stage, with our partner clubs Mumbai City FC and Bengaluru FC making it even more special. As a sports-first brand, PUMA India has always pushed boundaries to create unforgettable moments for fans, and this match was our way of celebrating football fandom in the country."
The event was aimed at promoting football and engaging fans through a cross-industry collaboration involving sport and entertainment figures.
