Raheem Sterling: A Cultural Icon and Big Brother to Many
In modern football, few players have grown up more publicly than Raheem Sterling. From his early days in Jamaica to the bright lights of Anfield and the Etihad, Sterling’s story has always been bigger than football. It’s about rising through scrutiny, standing tall in the face of criticism, and becoming a voice for those too often silenced.
His evolution from a precocious teenager to a seasoned professional has mirrored the experiences of many young Black men navigating not only the sport but a society often too eager to define them before they’ve even had a chance to speak.
Raheem Sterling is by no means a veteran, currently still at the young age of 30, but he’s been in our lives and the Premier League spotlight for quite some time. He broke out as a teenage sensation at Liverpool at just 17, being part of that famed front three with Luis Suárez and Daniel Sturridge. He burst onto the scene with explosive speed and a youthful exuberance that was electric to witness. From mazy runs to questionable celebrations, this young man from Jamaica won over a lot of hearts on Merseyside.
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Many of those same hearts would be broken when he made the much-criticized switch to Manchester City in 2015. At the time, it was the highest transfer fee ever paid for an English player, a weight no young man should have to carry, and certainly no fault of his own.
Or maybe it was simply because he was a young man full of potential and City saw exactly what he could become. Naturally, Liverpool fans weren’t pleased and felt betrayed. Sterling, even at that age, would have expected that reaction.
What was truly bizarre, though, was the media’s reaction. Rather than frame the move as ambitious or forward-thinking, it was met with sneers, dog whistles, and plenty of low-blow commentary. It exposed an ugly truth in English football: how differently certain players are treated and perceived.
Much of the coverage felt personal, with some outlets going as far as saying his career was over, that he had chased money, and that he spat in the face of the club that “made” him. The usual one-sided loyalty arguments. But clubs are quick to turn their backs when it suits them. Players give something too: their youth, their health, their lives.
His Legacy Beyond the Pitch
This barrage of attention, especially the negative kind, forced a young man from Kingston to grow up fast. Instead of folding under pressure, he kept his head down and worked. Under Pep Guardiola, he evolved by sharpening his decision-making, improving his finishing, and becoming one of the best wingers in the world as a key figure in City’s dominance.
Yet, despite his success, the media continued to cast him as a villain whenever the chance arose. He became the butt of many jokes and headlines, often with racial undertones. Still, he never backed down. Instead, he used his platform to push for change, leading conversations around racial inequality in football and being awarded an MBE in 2021 for his efforts.
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Sterling became a flag bearer for a generation. He was often under-appreciated, both by the media and by parts of the footballing public, but never by his teammates. He delivered time and again for Manchester City, winning four Premier League titles, five League Cups, the FA Cup, and the Community Shield before moving to Chelsea in 2022. His individual honors include being named FWA Footballer of the Year in 2018/19 and earning a place in the PFA Team of the Year.
His time with England has also been undervalued. There were tournaments where he was clearly the best player, but the praise often went elsewhere. Still, he remained consistent in both his play and his humility. Now back at Chelsea following a failed loan spell at Arsenal, even he admits this hasn’t been his best football. But that hasn’t stopped critics from re-emerging. And just like before, Sterling remains unbothered, never stepping out of character to seek validation or fight back.
Because for over a decade, Raheem Sterling has stood tall, often alone, in the face of noise. He’s been a cultural icon, a standard-setter, and more than anything, a big brother.
By Jahvon Barrett / @JahvonBarrett
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Eddie Keogh – The FA