Sports
‘The Hated One’ to ‘The Special One’: How Raheem Sterling has altered his image at Man City
‘The Hated One’.
No, not the latest offering from Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, who has morphed down the years from ‘The Special One’ to ‘The Happy One’and now seemingly ‘The Moody One’.
Instead, the moniker above was bestowed upon himself by Raheem Sterling in the summer of 2016.
Having made few friends when forcing a move away from Liverpool in 2015, and then done little to endear himself to the Manchester City faithful during a largely forgettable debut campaign at the Etihad Stadium, the jet-heeled winger became public enemy No. 1 in England on the back of a disastrous showing at the last European Championship.
Well, maybe enemy No. 2. Joe Hart probably wrapped up top spot on that particular chart with his antics against Iceland.
Whatever his standing, Sterling was definitely not flavour of the month, with England supporters taking to booing their own player during a scrappy 2-1 victory over Wales in Lens.
Having anointed himself ‘The Hated One’ on social media, the 23-year-old would later admit to that period being “the most difficult time” in what has already been a career of wild fluctuations between the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.
More inconsistent showings were to follow, though, and a year on from his frustration in France, it was suggested that City may be prepared to cut their losses on a £44 million asset and trade him in as part of a deal to lure Alexis Sanchez away from Arsenal.
Pep Guardiola sought to quickly quash those rumours, saying: “No chance. Zero chance. Not one per cent chance we will swap Raz because I trust a lot in him.”
Sterling claims to have had no “negative thoughts” during that saga, with the supportive words of his manager enough to convince him that he would have a role to play in 2017-18 as part of a star-studded City side.
And what a role he has played .
A red card for over-celebrating the most dramatic of winners against Bournemouth in August offered an early bump in the road but by the midway point of the season, Sterling was flying.
In 19 Premier League games prior to the turn of the calendar year, 13 goals had been scored (boasting a conversion rate of 35.14), four assists recorded and 30 chances created (at an average of 1.6 per game).
In 2018, Sterling’s output has shifted somewhat, with his game having become more about creativity and less about providing the finishing touch – although not entirely through choice.
Over the second half of a title-winning campaign, assist figures have been raised to seven – in just 12 outings – while creating a further 24 opportunities for grateful team-mates (2 per game).
There has been a noticeable dip in the goalscoring department, with the target found five times amid a run which has seen Sterling’s conversion rate slump to 16.67 and seven ‘big chances’ squandered – with a derby defeat to Manchester United at the Etihad proving to be particularly wasteful.
He is, however, aware of his faults , admitting to Sky Sports : “Of course, people see it and my problem is that when I have too much time to think that’s when I mess up a lot. If it’s more instinctive with less time to think I am much better. If it’s through on goal and I have too much time to think I try to over-complicate things. That’s when I do mess up at times. I have full confidence in myself and believe I will get it right in a matter of time.”
A nomination for the PFA Young Player of the Year award suggests that a few chinks in the armour are being forgiven, with Sterling’s most recent outing seeing him provide three assists in a Man of the Match showing against West Ham – the first time in his career that he has achieved such a feat.
He has also become the second man – after Leroy Sane in the same meeting with the Hammers – to record 10+ goals and assists across a solitary Premier League season. Not bad when you consider the calibre of talent that City have at their disposal, and have had down the years.
And the most exciting thing is, there is the promise of more to come, especially when taking into account his continued ‘either or’ output when it comes to goals and assists.
Former England coach Gary Neville told Sky Sports when selecting the most illustrious of role models: “[Cristiano] Ronaldo, when he first joined United, wasn’t a free-kick taker, he wasn’t a corner taker, he wasn’t good from a deadball, he wasn’t a great ‘kicker.’ Raheem Sterling, isn’t a great ‘kicker’ of a ball. Could he put a corner on the six-yard box, whipped in every time? No. The answer is no.
“Ronaldo couldn’t do this at 18, 19, 20 either, it’s not a criticism, it’s a question of development. Can Sterling get to those Ronaldo or [Thierry] Henry levels? That’s debatable, because they’re two of the great players but that’s the challenge.”
Sterling may never be ‘The Popular One’, but then neither is Ronaldo.
He has, however, successfully shaken ‘The Hated One’ tag – at least outside of the red half of Merseyside – and can complete his road to redemption when back in the colours of England at this summer’s World Cup finals in Russia.
Former Arsenal star, Jack Wilshere, has sent a message to the Gunners ahead of their UEFA Champions League final with Paris Saint-Germain.
Arsenal will take on the French Ligue 1 giants in the Champions League final this year in Budapest on Saturday evening.
Mikel Arteta’s side had lost 3-1 on aggregate against PSG in the Champions League semi-final stage last year.
Speaking on TNT Sports (via GOAL), Wilshere remembered Arsenal about their last year’s defeat to PSG and urged them to use it as a revenge to get a win against Luis Enrique’s side when both sides meet again this weekend.
“Now that the Premier League is over the line, I know that the Premier League was the one. I know that Mikel wanted that. I know that the boys wanted that,” Wilshere said.
“Now you have to go through some tough times and learn from it. I hope that the Champions League semi-final [PSG 3-1 Arsenal] last year hurt them enough that they can go on and use that [against PSG].
“I think when you are on the pitch, and you are playing against your direct opponent, you learn so much about them. And to face them next year, they will be better for that.”
Captain of the Super Falcons, Rasheedat Ajibade, has said the team is determined to become the best women’s football team in the world.
Ajibade spoke yesterday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during a reception hosted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in honour of the Falcons following their victory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
The Nigerian ladies clinched their 10th continental title after a hard-fought campaign, further cementing their status as Africa’s most successful women’s team.
Ajibade, in an emotional speech, said the team’s goal goes beyond continental glory.
“We’re not content to rest on our laurels. Our vision is bold. We want to become the best women’s football team in the world,” the Atletico Madrid star said.
She described herself as “a proud daughter of Nigeria” and paid tribute to the dreams of young girls across the country who look up to the team.
“This victory is not just a trophy. It is a testament to the unyielding spirit of Nigeria. It is a celebration of every young girl in our villages, towns, and cities who dares to dream,” she said.
Ajibade, who spoke on behalf of the team, coaches, and technical crew, thanked the Federal Government for its support and appealed for continued investment in women’s football.
President Tinubu, in his address, conferred national honours of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on all 24 players and the 11-member technical crew.
The President also approved the allocation of three-bedroom apartments to each team member under the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme and a cash reward of the naira equivalent of $100,000 for each player, while members of the technical team received $50,000 each.
He praised the Falcons for lifting the nation’s spirit and inspiring unity through their performance.
“You have inspired millions, especially young girls who now see proof that their dreams are valid and achievable,” Tinubu said.
“You have inspired me too. You represent the hope of today, tomorrow, and the day after. You ignited that hope. And we will continue to encourage you and the next generation.”
The President said the Falcons’ WAFCON victory was not just a sporting feat but a symbol of the courage, discipline and resilience that define Nigerians.
“Your victory represents more than a sporting accomplishment. It is a triumph of courage, determination, discipline, and consistency,” he said.
The reception was attended by top government officials, sports administrators, and stakeholders in the football community.
A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has congratulated the Super Falcons on their historic 3-2 comeback victory over hosts Morocco in the final of the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday.
The Falcons, who came from two goals down to seal the win in Rabat, clinched their 10th WAFCON title—further cementing their status as the most successful team in the history of the competition. Reacting to the victory, Oseni described the performance as “a warrior’s triumph that speaks volumes about the indomitable Nigerian spirit.”
In a statement issued by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele in Ibadan, the lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency said the team’s resilience should serve as a symbol of hope and unity for the entire nation. “They refused to surrender. That comeback from two goals down defines who we are as Nigerians—strong, focused, and unstoppable when united,” he said.
The Falcons had gone behind in the 13th minute when Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak capitalised on a loose ball to fire past goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie. The hosts doubled their lead through Sanaâ Mssoudy before halftime, putting Nigeria on the back foot before the break.
However, second-half goals from Esther Okoronkwo, Folashade Ijamilusi, and Jennifer Echegini turned the game on its head, securing victory for Coach Justin Madugu’s side and avenging their 2024 semi-final loss to the North Africans. Oseni also hailed Madugu’s tactical brilliance, describing him as “the architect of a new chapter in women’s football in Nigeria.”
The lawmaker who also chairs the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) joined other national figures, including President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, in celebrating the Falcons. The President had earlier taken to his verified social media accounts to praise the team’s performance, declaring, “Mission X: Complete!” while Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos, described it as a flawless display of Nigerian spirit.
Oseni urged the Falcons not to rest on their laurels but to build on the momentum ahead of their title defence and the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. “This is just the beginning. You have inspired millions of girls across the continent. Keep flying the flag and keep making Nigeria proud,” he added.
He also called on sports authorities and private stakeholders to invest more in women’s football, noting that the team’s success was proof of the untapped potential in the sector. “We have global stars in the making. Now is the time to give them the platform and support they truly deserve,” the lawmaker submitted.
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