'In the football world you’re nobody' - Ognenovski tells Bolt to chase dream not money

Usain Bolt has been told to “chase the dream, not the money” by Sasa Ognenovski, the 2010 Asian footballer of the year who began his working life on a building site.

The fabulously rich eight-time Olympic champion’s pursuit of an A-League career with the Central Coast Mariners remains in limbo as his management holds out for an elusive third party to help fund a multi-million dollar contract.

The sprint legend turned wannabe footballer has snubbed his nose at an initial offer from the Mariners which fell well short of his expectations.

But former Socceroos stopper Ognenovski, whose first A-League contract with Brisbane Roar was worth just $50,000 back in 2005, is mystified by what he views as Bolt’s dash for cash.

“I dare say Usain Bolt isn’t struggling financially but there he is asking for this much or that much, even though he’s never played professional football before,” said the AFC Champions League winner.

“That’s something I don’t understand. If you say ‘ok I want to try and make it as a pro’ you take the minimum contract and chase the dream, not the money.

“You don’t come in, having only ever really played the game with your mates, and say, ‘I’m not going to accept this figure because I’m Usain Bolt.

“In the football world you’re nobody. My contract with the Roar was for minimum wage and I’d played football all my life.

“So who’s Usain Bolt to make demands of the Mariners? If they were looking to sign a sprinter up then he could demand what he likes. But that’s not the case.

“It’s like me rocking up to an AFL club and saying, ‘hey listen, I’m not really good at your game and won’t add anything different to what you have but I want half a million bucks’.

“None of it makes sense ... why is he concentrating so much on money?

“If he’s struggling in that area why doesn’t he go back and do something in the sprint world where he’s already achieved greatness.”

Ognenovski, now 39, believes it would now be appropriate for all parties involved in Bolt’s breathlessly documented Australian adventure to withdraw gracefully, and for the club to ditch the show business and get on with the business of winning matches and restoring pride after last season’s wooden spoon.

“The publicity side of everything that's happened around the club has been really good over the last few months,“ he said.

“There’s been worldwide media coverage, they’ve live streamed his games, he’s created a lot of interest which is fantastic.

“But, ultimately, do the Mariners want a marketing tool or a proper footballer?

“I think it’s time for (coach) Mike Mulvey to concentrate on the football side of things and making the club competitive again.

“They’ve brought in Ross McCormack and Tommy Oar and that makes sense. The challenge for the Mariners is to win the respect of the competition back and avoid just withering away into a nothing club.

“And they can only do that with real players on the pitch.”

The defender, who played in Korea Republic, Australia and Qatar, wasn’t won over by Bolt’s two goals against a scratch Sydney South West team earlier this month, insisting that the professional game is a bridge too far for him.

“I personally don’t believe he’s up to it,” he said. “As much as he loves football I just don’t think it’s viable for the Mariners to take someone on like that.

“I don’t think he knows the game well enough. He’s a freak in his own sport but I really don’t see why he would want to do it.

“In sprinting you win or lose the race, nobody will comment on your technique.

“As a footballer, he’ll get criticised for everything he does wrong.

“People train their whole lives and still don’t reach the required level.

“And he’s a long way from that. I’d rather see a young kid who can actually play given a shot by the club.”