Raheem Sterling has said “not having anything” as a child growing up on a London housing estate drives him to use his platform to give back.
The 26-year-old England footballer said his upbringing shaped his desire to help others and use his profile to push for positive change.
The star has long campaigned against racism in football and wider society. Last year he announced he was creating a foundation to help disadvantaged young people.
Fellow England star Marcus Rashford, 23, who has campaigned on food poverty, has credited Sterling’s work as an inspiration.
Sterling, who played a starring role in England reaching the Euro 2020 final this summer, came to the UK as a child with his mother and older sister, settling on an estate in Brent.
His father was shot dead while crossing a road that bordered gang territories in Jamaica when he was a toddler. He said wanting to give back “comes from not having anything and knowing what it’s like to want to be helped or wanting something you can’t afford”.
The Manchester City forward said had the family stayed in Jamaica, he probably wouldn’t have been able to have a career as a footballer.
“Most probably not. That’s what’s great about life: you never know. I’m grateful for the opportunity of coming to the UK for my family and myself also, to make something of ourselves.”
The midfielder was speaking as he launched fashion range 1692, a casual menswear line that was funded and founded in partnership with him. The brand is named after the birthdate of Jamaica’s capital, Kingston, where Sterling was born.
Speaking to ES Magazine, the sportsman said he was only ever interested in football as a child but was inspired by his idol David Beckham to explore other avenues. He said the former England captain encouraged him to “not to put all your eggs in one basket”. Sterling said: “As footballers, you’re told you’re not allowed to do this. But when Beckham did something people paid attention.”
On his love of fashion, Sterling said: “It’s something that I’m interested in. If I am going somewhere I want people to think, ‘Oh, you look cool.’” Despite living in Britain for most of his life, he said he still felt attached to Jamaica. “Jamaica is where I can recharge my batteries. Everything in that country is so simple and I always have a great time.”
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