Pep Guardiola urged Raheem Sterling not to listen to any comparisons with the best players in the world.
The Manchester City star has had a superb start to the season and followed up his club form with two outstanding performances on international duty. City fans may have known about Sterling's brilliance for longer but recent weeks have hammered home what a talent the former Liverpool youngster is.
After former Blue Trevor Sinclair declared that he should be held up alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, England manager Gareth Southgate indicated that the player had every chance.
“There are some outstanding players around, the Hazards, the De Bruynes , plus the two mentioned," he added.
“But he’s got the drive, he’s got the professionalism, he’s got the ability, he’s strong and he’s physically and mentally strong for such a small-statured lad."
Guardiola, while delighted to see his player receive plaudits, would not accept any comparison with the two best players in the game.
"I am so happy for him for the way he is playing. Hopefully he will not listen to these kind of things, it will be good for him [not to]," he said.
"Nobody can compare with Cristiano or Messi. Everything that has happened to him is good because he has an incredible work ethic and is an incredibly nice guy. I am delighted."
