Raheem Sterling opens up on his rags-to-riches story, childhood and treatment he receives from the media

In a remarkably open and revealing article, Sterling describes his early years in Jamaica, losing his father while his mother sought a better life in the UK and the way he’s portrayed in the media

Raheem Sterling has opened up in more detail than ever before on the treatment he receives by certain parts of the media, and explained his rags-to-riches story that stems from his father’s murder when he was just two years old and his early years in Jamaica.

The Manchester City midfielder has been targeted with constant media reports in the lead up to the World Cup, the most intense of which surrounded a tattoo of a gun that he got on his leg in tribute to his late father, who was shot 21 years ago.

Sterling has also been criticised in the past for things such as buying his mother a sink that was decorated with diamonds, spending too much money on cars and not spending enough money on travel, clothes and breakfast, among others.

The 23-year-old has largely stayed quiet on his treatment, issuing a brief statement about his tattoo earlier this month, but has now written at length in a piece for The Players’ Tribune.

In an article titled “It was all a dream”, Sterling delves into his childhood that included cleaning hotels with his mother and sister, and attempts to explain why he feels he is unfairly treated from parts of the media.

“So can I trust you? Can I tell you my story, and will you really listen? If you read certain papers, maybe you already think you know me. Maybe you think you know my story, and what I care about. But do you really?” opens Sterling after detailing a comical episode with his young, Liverpool-supporting daughter.

Raheem Sterling has opened up about his childhood and his treatment by the media (Getty)

“When I was two years old, my father was murdered. That shaped my entire life. Not long after that, my mum made the decision to leave me and my sister in Jamaica and go to England so she could get her degree and give us a better life. For a few years, we lived with our grandmother in Kingston, and I remember watching the other kids with their mums and just feeling really jealous. I didn’t fully understand what my mum was doing for us. I just knew that she was gone. My grandma was amazing, but everybody wants their mum at that age.

“Thank God I had football. I remember when it used to rain, all the kids would run outside and play football in the puddles, just splashing around, having the best time. That’s the image that flashes in my mind when I think about the atmosphere of Jamaica. When it rains, nobody hides inside. You just go out and enjoy it. The other thing I remember is begging my grandmother for money to go and get a grapenut ice cream.”

Sterling has often been harshly criticised by certain areas of the media (Getty)

He continues: “My mum was working as a cleaner at some hotels to make extra money so she could pay for her degree. I’ll never forget waking up at five in the morning before school and helping her clean the toilets at the hotel in Stonebridge. I’d be arguing with my sister, like, ‘No! No! You got the toilets this time. I got the bed sheets.’

“You know...it’s sad that I even have to say this, but I’m going to say it anyway. There’s a perception in certain parts of the media that I love ‘bling’. I love diamonds. I love to show off. I really don’t understand where that comes from. Especially when I bought my mum a house, it was unbelievable what some people were writing. I think it’s really sad that people do that. They hate what they don’t even know.

“A few years ago, I would let it get to me. I’d be saying to my mum, ‘Why are they picking on me?’

“But now, as long as my mum and my sister and my kids don’t have any stress, I’m good.

“If people want to write about my mum’s bathroom in her house, all I have to tell you is that 15 years ago, we were cleaning toilets in Stonebridge and getting breakfast out of the vending machine. If anybody deserves to be happy, it’s my mum. She came to this country with nothing and put herself through school cleaning bathrooms and changing bed sheets, and now she’s the director of a nursing home.

“And her son plays for England.”

Sterling could be dropped for England's next game against Panama (Getty)

Sterling has received a wave of support from fans ahead of the World Cup in response to recent media coverage, although he was scrutinised for his performance in England’s 2-1 victory over Tunisia last Monday after missing a number of chances in front of goal.

England manager Gareth Southgate looks set to replace Sterling for Sunday’s second Group G match against Panama, with a leaked team sheet displaying Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s name above Sterling’s and Marcus Rashford’s in attack alongside Harry Kane.