In a wide-ranging discussion, the City and England forward was in conversation with his international manager, Gareth Southgate.
Beginning with their recollections of this summer’s European Championships in which England reached a first major international final in 55 years, the duo talked about the tournament’s impact on the national mood following a COVID-19 enforced UK lockdown.
Sterling finished as the Three Lions’ leading marksman in the tournament, and he and Southgate discussed the forward’s development into a regular scorer at international level, including a watershed performance and victory against Spain in 2018.
The City forward went on to examine how he has grown as a footballer and as a man over the years, and what message he would have for his younger self if given the opportunity.
But Sterling’s influence and actions transcend football, with the 27-year-old awarded an MBE for services to Racial Equality in Sport in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in June 2021.
With this in mind, he and Southgate also addressed the ongoing fight against racism in football, as well as the reaction following penalty heartbreak in the Euro 2020 final.
The City winger also thanked Southgate for his support with projects such as the Raheem Sterling foundation which aims to educate, empower and inspire young people to become better prepared for the future and to embrace opportunities to achieve greater social mobility.
Sterling’s mother, Nadine, would often have to take a young Raheem and his sister to the hotel where she worked, but the pair would help with cleaning responsibilities.
When she wasn’t able to drive the 27-year-old to training as a child, Sterling’s sister would also pitch in to help the City and England forward hone his skills and ultimately fulfil his dream.
As Raheem explained to Radio 4, he hopes to return those favours by opening doorways to the next generation in whatever they hope to pursue moving into adulthood.
He said: “There were a lot of times and a lot of journeys that my mum couldn’t make and a lot of things I needed help with, (like) to get football boots and these things.
“With the foundation, I wanted it to be another helping hand. It doesn’t necessarily have to be football, (it could be) someone who is aspiring to go to university and do certain things with their life but doesn’t have the resources, that’s what I really wanted to do, just to help at least one person.
“I think a lot of people don’t understand that your adult years don’t begin at 19 or 20, they begin at a much younger age than that, I’d say 13 or 14.
“Because this is the point where you’re getting a real interest in something and you can now put your mind into it, enjoy it and start doing it.
“I want to help kids get that interest and be a help and support to them.”
Sterling’s mother, Nadine, also expressed her pride on Raheem’s achievements to date: “It’s a dream come true for him,
“When I was cleaning at the hotel and had no other choice but to take them as I couldn’t leave them at home, they came and helped. They’re helpful kids, it’s a team.
“If Raheem ever had any money, he’d always come straight to me and get a treat from the vending machine.”
Everyone at Manchester City would like to congratulate Raheem on a fantastic job guest editing Radio 4’s Today Programme.
To hear the full episode, click here.
