Raheem Sterling has 66 million supporters (that’s whole UK included), but also additional 3 million, from his country of birth – Jamaica. England’s top scorer in EURO 2020 with three goals in four matches is currently in excellent form, especially after some of those goals proved crucial, like 1-0 wins over Croatia and Czech Republic, or the first goal in a 2-0 victory over Germany. And now, ahead of quarter-final match with Ukraine, all eyes are on Sterling, the Maverley boy.The curse has been lifted – England send Germany home and proceed to the EURO 2020 quarter-finalsRaheem was born in Jamaica’s capital Kingston, in a violent district of Maverley, and his father was gunned down in the neighbouring district of Waterhouse when the player was only two years old. Sterling migrated to England at the age of five, along with his mother stared to live and play football in North-east London. He represented England at all levels, but never forgot his Jamaican roots, as he bought a house in Jamaica in 2018 and supported various local initiatives in support of sports facilities. Last year, Sterling gifted students of his former school, Maverley Primary and Junior High, with a pair of Clarks Originals shoes through his collaboration with the renowned brand. One year on and some students were proudly wearing their Wallabees for graduation yesterday.“I am rooting for Raheem because not only is he Jamaican but he has made himself an integral part of our school community through his significant partnership with us. Most of our students are from the local community and are inspired by his success. Before the pandemic started we had a successful football school team; most of them desire to become professional footballers based on his demonstrated success” said Vice Principal Kerry Taffe to The Independent.🏴 RAHEEM STERLING!He’s scored all three England goals at this tournament! pic.twitter.com/eOXKp5ePAV— Matchday365 (@Matchday365) June 29, 2021 Nathaniel Peat, Chair of Jamaicans Inspired UK and elected Global Jamaica Diaspora Council Representative for UK south, also supports Sterling and emphasizes his life story as an inspiration to the black community. “He is a role model for many aspiring young black footballers in the UK and despite the racial negatives associated with Black and Asian players in football he shows that excellence can shine beyond those perceptions. It’s a great achievement from a child that lost his dad to gun crime, he rose above it, and turned his pain into the passion of playing football that is now helping England move closer towards victory” said Peat to The Independent. A boy who grew up not far from Wembley and carrying a tattoo of his dream stadium on this hand has become England’s main man at the EURO scoring all three goals of England. 😍👏#EURO2020#ENG #ger #sterling #raheemsterling#harrykane#Kane pic.twitter.com/TBWGmISuw5— M.Usman Javed (@MUsmanJ75856300) June 29, 2021 His close friend, a reggae singer from Jamaica Christopher Martin brings in another perspective into the story – the one about race discrimination. “I’m super proud as a fellow Jamaican and I love seeing him on those big stages. Any English fan who loves football, no matter your colour, should be outraged. Sterling is the one who’s been making the plays, scoring the goals, and I know it’s a team sport but if you don’t have the person to put the ball in the back of the net then you can’t win and Sterling has been doing that. Kane’s a talented baller too but he scored one goal and he’s been getting more praise and accolades than Sterling – and we don’t rate that. Britain needs to address this and do the right thing; it isn’t fair“ explained Martin. People all over Jamaica are supporting Sterling as they feel he is their fellow Jamaican, even thou he never considered changing his England jersey. “I’ve got Jamaican roots but no-one tried to put any pressure on me. I couldn’t turn my back on England because I’ve grown up through the English youth system and progressed from there. I want to keep driving on and do a bit more” said Sterling way back when he was asked about a possibility of switching alliances as he represented England at every level from Under-16 upwards.
