Raheem Sterling could end a stunning season by being named England captain in the Nations League next month – on his 50th cap.
The Manchester City striker is in line for the captain’s armband with skipper Harry Kane and his deputy Jordan Henderson likely to be unavailable against Holland on June 6.
Both stars will be involved in the Champions League Final between Liverpool and Tottenham in Madrid five days earlier – leaving Sterling, 24, in the frame to lead England.
“It’s possible depending on availability but he is in that leadership group now,” says Southgate.
Raheem Sterling's response to question of whether he scored FA Cup final hat-trick
“We took that decision in the last couple of camps and he has fulfilled that role model brilliantly over the last 12 months in particular.
“You can see his maturity now with what had happened to him on and off the pitch. I think he is relishing that.
“He has risen to that challenge and embraced it and I wouldn’t have any hesitation in making him captain that if that was the right thing.”
What Man City's FA Cup win means for European qualification from Premier League
Sterling was one of Manchester City's star performers during a Premier League campaign that saw them crowned champions for the second successive season.
The 24-year-old found the net 17 times and provided 10 assists in the league as City finished one point above title challengers Liverpool.
The forward's exceptional campaign came to a fitting end as he scored twice during the club's 6-0 win over Watford in the FA Cup final as Pep Guardiola's side completed a domestic treble.
Sterling almost had a hat-trick, with questions over who City's second goal belonged to after he slammed a Gabriel Jesus effort into the net as it crossed the line.
The Brazilian was later confirmed as the goalscorer, denying Sterling the accolade of becoming just the fourth player to score a hat-trick in the final of the competition.
