Raheem Sterling has opened up about how the loss of his dad and his early years in Jamaica has shaped him into the man, and father, he is today.
The Man City star was just two-year-old when his dad, Phillip Slater, was shot dead in Jamaica.
Despite such a tragic incident, Sterling says that the loss he felt as a young boy spurs him on to give his two-year-old son Thiago, and seven-year-old daughter Melody Rose the love he felt he missed from his own father.
The England forward, who was born in Jamaica before moving to England when he was five, told GQ Magazine : "Sometimes it's tough, but everything happens for a reason.
"Now, having my own kids, I make sure I give them that love from the father figure that I didn't have. And I think that’s probably helped me feel better as well."
He also recalled his school days in Kingston, describing it as "brutal".
Speaking to Alastair Campbell for GQ, Sterling said: "At first it was tough. You know, school was different. I kind of got away with more in school here, but when I was in Jamaica it was zero tolerance. Belts."
The footballing ace, who was named PFA's Young Player of the Year in April, also openly spoke about his decision to walk away from Liverpool four year ago, his wealth, tackling racism and of course, his boss Pep Guardiola .
He described the Blue's manager as "demanding" - but what else would you expect from the 48-year-old who has won 26 trophies during his managerial career?
Sterling said of Pep: "He has challenged me, never let me be comfortable.
"Every year he has bought a new winger. So for me it's like, 'Cool. OK. I've done OK.' And now, the last season, he’s just got another one.
"He's demanding, but it's good. It makes you want to do better and - I don't know how to explain this - makes you want to prove to him and show him every time you go on the field you're playing for your position in his team, because of the numbers we have and the quality we have as well."
And Sterling also had this to say about friendships, and big egos, in football and how the leaves him to likely only be friends with "three or four" other players.
"It’s hard to get close with your teammates….
"We all do the same thing and I like to be around my friends that are normal guys. The one thing I can’t take is the ego. I like people that are just chilled.
"I'm not saying every player is, but everyone has their little diva moment."
Full interview in August’s British GQ , available on newsstands and digital download on Friday.
