FIFA World Cup 2018: 10 superstars who will not be playing for their country of birth

#5. Raheem Sterling

Sterling was born in Jamaica and plays for England

Raheem Sterling has followed in the footsteps of former Liverpool player, John Barnes, by playing for England after being born in Kingston, Jamaica.

Sterling’s absent father was murdered in Jamaica when he was two years old and the player left the country when he was five years old to move to London. He started out at the QPR academy before moving to Liverpool with whom he made his professional debut.

He represented England at the U16, U17, U19 and U21 level before making his senior debut in 2012.

The 23-year-old is heading to the FIFA World Cup 2018 with England after his career-best season. He scored 23 goals and assisted 11 more in all competitions for Manchester City as they won the league and league cup double.

Sterling has played 38 games for England but has only scored two goals so far. He is expected to start behind Harry Kane for England at the World Cup and the three Lions will need him to improve his current goalscoring record if they are to progress further in the tournament.