Raheem Sterling says he is open to playing in the MLS later in his career once he has left Manchester City.
Sterling scored 26 goals as he helped City to a historic domestic treble this season, and flew to New York after celebrating the campaign's achievements in an open top parade in Manchester on Monday.
The England winger spoke to the Wall Street Journal’s Future of Everything Festival on Tuesday in New York, and discussed a range of issues including the need for stricter punishments to combat racial abuse from the stands.
“If I go to a football game and I support Manchester United, for example, I don’t want to be the person that lets my team down by saying silly remarks in a stadium,” Sterling said.
“If you know your team’s going to get fined or deducted nine points from them winning the league, you’re not going to say these racist things."
The conversation also covered the growth of the MLS - in the US and in England - and Sterling admitted he would like to play in the states before he retires.
He explained: “English football has grown massively over here. It wasn’t like that in the past and it’ll continue to get bigger.
“I was surprised walking out of the hotel today and being recognised by one or two people. I didn’t expect that over here.
“This is a country I would one day love to be able to come to. Your weather is a lot better over here than ours is.
“Hopefully one day I can bring my family over here.”
Sterling added that the appetite for MLS football is growing back home, including at the CFA among City players.
“There’s always games on our tele at the training ground, we’re either watching this or the Australian League," Sterling continued.
“For sure, this [MLS] is growing in the UK, and people are really taking it in and want to come over.
“[I] hopefully want to have a career here as well.”
