We’ve all heard ‘it’s coming home’ on repeat over the past couple of weeks. But how many know the story behind some of England’s stars?
The human side of sport is often overlooked and athletes are demoted to mere entertainers. But this England side has some incredible players, with equally incredible stories.
Raheem Sterling: The Boy from Brent
Raheem Sterling has been England’s standout performer at Euro 2020. But his journey has been far from easy.
Wembley Stadium is just a stone’s throw from where he grew up and he even has the venue’s iconic arch tattooed on his arm.
It seems almost prophetic that Sterling has led England’s charge to the final at Wembley.
His mum was working as a cleaner at hotels to make extra money so she could pay for her degree. A young Raheem used to wake up at five in the morning before school and helped her clean the toilets at the hotel.
Sterling then signed for QPR at young age which was not close at all to where they lived.
So his sister would have to take him all the way out to Heathrow, taking three busses there and back.
They would leave at 3:15 and get home at 23:00. Every. Single. Day. “She’d sit upstairs in the little cafe and chill until I was done with training. Imagine being 17 years old and doing that for your little brother”.
As Sterling started to make a name for himself in the Premier League, the papers attacked him constantly for being flashy. There was even an article attacking him for buying his mum a house at one point.
On and off the pitch, Raheem Sterling is an inspiration to everyone.
Mason Mount and Declan Rice: Best of friends
The story of Declan Rice and Mason Mount’s friendship is one which will always put a smile on your face.
The pair, both now 22, have been best-mates since they were 7 years old.
The two met in Chelsea’s academy back in 2006 when they both joined at the same age group.
After becoming pals, they rose up through the different academy levels together at the West London club, solidifying their bond.
As they reached maturity the two took different paths, Rice leaving Chelsea for West Ham.
Before long they’d gone from kids in an academy to bona-fide England stars, still side by side, making their debuts months apart in 2019.
Now the midfield duo have established themselves as regular starters under Gareth Southgate, with both in line to start on Sunday’s final.
What a beautiful story hey?
You can see the truly brilliant prank the Mount pulled on his best friend, which quickly went viral .
Submitted Article
Headline
Short Headline
Standfirst
Published Article
HeadlineThe story behind some of England’s Euro 2020 stars
Short HeadlineThe story behind some of England's Euro 2020 stars
StandfirstTheir stories off the pitch and how they got to where they are.
We’ve all heard ‘it’s coming home’ on repeat over the past couple of weeks. But how many know the story behind some of England’s stars?
The human side of sport is often overlooked and athletes are demoted to mere entertainers. But this England side has some incredible players, with equally incredible stories.
Raheem Sterling: The Boy from Brent
Raheem Sterling has been England’s standout performer at Euro 2020. But his journey has been far from easy.
Wembley Stadium is just a stone’s throw from where he grew up and he even has the venue’s iconic arch tattooed on his arm.
It seems almost prophetic that Sterling has led England’s charge to the final at Wembley.
His mum was working as a cleaner at hotels to make extra money so she could pay for her degree. A young Raheem used to wake up at five in the morning before school and helped her clean the toilets at the hotel.
Sterling then signed for QPR at young age which was not close at all to where they lived.
So his sister would have to take him all the way out to Heathrow, taking three busses there and back.
They would leave at 3:15 and get home at 23:00. Every. Single. Day. “She’d sit upstairs in the little cafe and chill until I was done with training. Imagine being 17 years old and doing that for your little brother”.
As Sterling started to make a name for himself in the Premier League, the papers attacked him constantly for being flashy. There was even an article attacking him for buying his mum a house at one point.
On and off the pitch, Raheem Sterling is an inspiration to everyone.
Mason Mount and Declan Rice: Best of friends
The story of Declan Rice and Mason Mount’s friendship is one which will always put a smile on your face.
The pair, both now 22, have been best-mates since they were 7 years old.
The two met in Chelsea’s academy back in 2006 when they both joined at the same age group.
After becoming pals, they rose up through the different academy levels together at the West London club, solidifying their bond.
As they reached maturity the two took different paths, Rice leaving Chelsea for West Ham.
Before long they’d gone from kids in an academy to bona-fide England stars, still side by side, making their debuts months apart in 2019.
Now the midfield duo have established themselves as regular starters under Gareth Southgate, with both in line to start on Sunday’s final.
What a beautiful story hey?
You can see the truly brilliant prank the Mount pulled on his best friend, which quickly went viral .
