Usain Bolt's quest to become a professional footballer took its biggest step this Friday.

Since hanging up his spikes after the 2017 season, the decorated Olympian has diverted his focus to his other sporting love of football.As a result, Bolt has been trying his hand at the beautiful game across a number of teams, making an appearance in training with Borussia Dortmund and Norway's Stromsgodset in recent months.He also captained the 'Rest of the World' team at this year's SoccerAid, collecting the Man of the Match award and being robbed of a goal off the crossbar.His latest endeavour has taken him to Australia and the Central Coast Mariners in what appears to be his most promising shot at making it as a professional.

Bolt makes his professional debut

Bolt has been training with the A-League team for a number of weeks now and was pencilled in to make his debut against Central Coast select.

The game would prove his first ever with a professional club and no less than 10,000 supporters - eclipsing the clubs 7,000 average - piled in to watch the game.

Not only that, but the game was televised in Australia with coverage branding it 'The Trial' and a camera constantly tracking Bolt.

Bolt makes his debut vs Central Coast select

Fans will have been disappointed to see the main attraction was confined to the bench, but Central Coast kept to their promise and introduced him with 20 minutes to play at 6-0.

Things didn't get off to the greatest start, though, with Bolt's introduction marking a shock goal for their opponents.

His first touch was a rather unorthodox flick that did created a half-chance and he was too slow, yes that's right, to reach a decent opportunity at the back post.

Check out the videos below:

Football fans cast their verdict

On the whole, however, football fans who watched the game weren't all that convinced by his performance.

That ranged from utter condemnation of his chances in the professional game to warnings that adapting will take time. Most points revolved around his fitness and positioning.

Check out the reaction below:

If nothing else, the game will do wonders for Central Coast Mariners' publicity and Bolt's showing wasn't a complete disaster.

The reaction is pretty much in line with what supporters have said about his other performances, not disastrous but not exactly impressed.

The narrative of Bolt trying his hand at professional football is certainly interesting and it's difficult to see it ending this afternoon.

After the game, the sprinting legend said: "It was good. It was what I expected. The crowd gave me plenty of motivation.

"I think my fitness is much better, that the first week since I came here. I'm grateful to the Mariners for giving me the chance."

Do you think Bolt will make it as a professional footballer? Have your say in the comments section below.