Tuttosport have named Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling as Europe’s best young player, so he discussed Paul Pogba, Mario Balotelli and ping-pong.
Different publications contribute to the voting process for the Golden Boy award, which last year went to Juventus star Pogba.
“It’s amazing to think of those who won this trophy before me. I don’t fear comparisons, as it’s above all motivation to do even better,” Sterling told Tuttosport.
Tuttosport have named Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling as Europe’s best young player, so he discussed Paul Pogba, Mario Balotelli and ping-pong.
Different publications contribute to the voting process for the Golden Boy award, which last year went to Juventus star Pogba.
“It’s amazing to think of those who won this trophy before me. I don’t fear comparisons, as it’s above all motivation to do even better,” Sterling told Tuttosport.
“Pogba is a phenomenon. You could see straight away he was a champion right from when we faced off in Under-17 tournaments here in England. He was a starlet at Man United.
“I am following his progress at Juventus and he’s got even better. After all, when you are learning from a master like Andrea Pirlo, you can’t get better than that.”
Sterling is teammates with another former Golden Boy winner, Balotelli, and revealed they do battle off the field.
“At Liverpool I beat everyone at ping-pong. Balotelli thought he’d come here and teach us all a lesson, but he too had to bow to me!”
SuperMario has scored just one goal in all competition since he beat Sterling’s England in the 2014 World Cup.
“That remains a very sad adventure, really disappointing, we can even say shameful for both England and Italy. On paper we both should’ve qualified, instead Costa Rica and Uruguay went forward. This is why, once we met up at Liverpool, Mario and I never discussed it again.”
Sterling has climbed through the ranks at Anfield and is not interested in links with Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.
“The truth is that I am happy here, I feel at home and have a contract until 2017. There’s all the time in the world to agree a renewal.
“Juventus are the only Italian side left in the Champions League, but on the other hand you have a strong contingent in the Europa League. Every time I face an Italian team it’s hellish, because your defences are the tightest in the world.”
Sterling is only 20 years old and beat the likes of Divock Origi and Lazar Markovic to get the Golden Boy award.
“I immediately called my mother Nadine to tell her about this award. I owe everything to her; she’s the most important person in my life. When I was just five years old we left our beloved Maverley in Jamaica and came to London to seek our fortune. If I’ve become what I am today, I owe it to my mother. God only knows how many sacrifices she made for me.”
He is also the first English player after Wayne Rooney in 2004 to win this title.