Raheem Sterling says “there is nothing more important” than winning a trophy for England.
Manchester City star Sterling has won titles and trophies at club level but still believes success at international level is still the ultimate achievement for any player.
England came painfully close in the summer but lost the Euros final to Italy after a heartbreaking penalty shoot-out but Sterling insisted they are determined to go one step further in next year’s World Cup.
Sterling said: “It was a great journey in the Euros but we want to have our hands on our trophy.
"I don't think you could beat that for us as players. We have one coming up. I think we have players at the right ages, challenging for the right things and have the mentality to be the best in their position.
"We have a wonderful manager here that tries to give us the environment to perform at the highest level.”
Sterling was talking as part of his appearance as a guest editor on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme as he also spoke to England boss Gareth Southgate, his mum Nadine and his sporting hero Usain Bolt.
Three Lions forward Sterling credited Southgate for transforming the atmosphere within the England camp but also underlined why he set up his own Foundation to help other youngsters following his own tough upbringing.
Sterling said: “After the Euros in France, the team came out of that with really bad press. It was a really difficult period over the next couple of years. The belief wasn't there within the team.
"When Gareth came in, he really tried to make us understand that yes, that's what the scarring is, but how are we going to change it? The team has grown as one.
"We want to do things as a collective. The one thing about this team is, when you come in the building, we are so integrated.”
He also said that he wants to give something back to the next generation with his Foundation which was launched within a stone’s throw of Wembley where he grew up.
Sterling added: ”Society can sometimes be brutal. I just wanted to help at least one person.
"I'm giving back, I'm helping out. I always say it's all well and good that I've been able to do a lot with myself at 27, but there's the next generation after us and I always think of 15-year-old me at QPR, about to go to Liverpool, there were a lot of difficult times.
"With the platform I and many footballers have, it's really important we get in touch with our human side and I wanted to help that next Raheem Sterling.”
