Shaun Goater believes the way Raheem Sterling stepped up his game at Euro 2020 is reminiscent of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Prior to this summer's rearranged European Championship, it had been a difficult season for Sterling at Manchester City.
The 26-year-old had fallen behind the likes of Riyad Mahrez, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden in Pep Guardiola's attacking pecking order and found himself out of the first XI for the many important games.
When he was selected in the Champions League final against Chelsea, the shock selection of Sterling was one of the reasons given for the Blues' agonising defeat.
Unsurprisingly, Sterling's goal contributions were also significantly less than in the previous campaign and not many people had him in their England starting XIs for Euro 2020.
Yet Gareth Southgate stuck with his man and was rewarded with a string of excellent displays and three goals that helped drive the Three Lions to their first major final since 1966.
The final may have ended in heartbreak after Italy were victorious on penalties, but that can't take away from Sterling's sublime performances, which earned him a spot in the Team of the Tournament.
City great Goater believes that Sterling's displays have put him in the same category as the world's best players.
"He's elevated himself to a level to being in the conversation of world class," Goater told FreeSuperTips.
"This is what Messi and Ronaldo do, they go out there, destroy teams, achieve trophies and get ready for the next moment.
"I'm seeing this with Sterling and it's a real joy to see."
