Raheem Sterling said he was delighted to break his duck at international tournaments - and then claimed there are “a lot of different reasons” why he has struggled for goals for Manchester City in a cryptic message about his poor club form this season.
Sterling justified his inclusion in the England team with his first tournament goal as the Three Lions kicked off their Euro 2020 campaign with a 1-0 victory at Wembley on Sunday.
Speaking to the BBC after the game, Sterling said there are “a lot of different reasons” why he struggled for Manchester City this season but he did not expand further.
Never forget where it started #BoyfromBrent pic.twitter.com/3eftHHCWW5
— Raheem Sterling (@sterling7) June 13, 2021
“I said if I play at a major tournament at Wembley, at my back garden, I have to score,” said Sterling, who grew up yards from Wembley in Brent.
"Honestly, there's a lot of different reasons I haven't scored for my club [Manchester City], and that's totally irrelevant now.
“I'm here with England, I'm enjoying my football, and that's the most important thing I am just happy to score!
“It is great to break that duck. The most important thing is to win here. I am a person who is hungry for goals. But I know the true value of the team.
“It was not conditions we are used to. We dug in. I blocked the outside world off. I just try to focus on the tournament. I am fully focused on the team. I have not listened to any of the outside noise.”
