Raheem Sterling
Club: Manchester City
Country: England
For a 25-year-old, Sterling has packed a lot into his career. As well as over 250 Premier League games, 56 England caps, and three major tournaments, he has gone from a regular target of boos to one of British sport’s most popular figures.
Partly, this is due to his character off the pitch. Sterling is naturally warm and fun, if a little shy, making his critics in tabloid newspapers hard to stomach. He has shown bravery in standing up to these attacks, while also speaking out on a wide range of subjects, from racism in football to the Grenfell Tower fire.
Raheem Sterling of Manchester City celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on June 17, 2020 in Manchester, United Kingdom.
On the pitch, he has matured into one of Europe’s most dangerous forwards. Integral to England’s 2018 World Cup campaign, he worked selflessly to allow Gareth Southgate’s 3-5-2 system to flourish. The only thing missing was a goal, with the tournament extending his international drought to three years. Continue reading