Raheem Sterling to receive a nomination for BBC Sports Personality of the Year for his efforts on and off the field after emerging as a key man for England and in the fight against racism
- Raheem Sterling will be given a Sports Personality of the Year nomination
- He has had an excellent year both on and off the pitch for City and England
- England cricket captain Ben Stokes will be favourite to win the award
Raheem Sterling will cap his phenomenal 2019 with a nomination for the BBC’s prestigious Sports Personality of the Year award.
Sportsmail understands the Manchester City will be named on the shortlist for next month’s public vote following an incredible 12 months on and off the pitch.
Sterling was instrumental in helping Pep Guardiola’s side to a second consecutive Premier League title last season – a campaign which also saw City complete a historic domestic Treble as they lifted the FA Cup and Carabao Cup. He has scored 28 goals for City since the turn of the year.
Raheem Sterling will be rewarded this year with a Sports Personality of the Year nomination
Sterling has also emerged as England’s most influential player, emerging as one of Gareth Southgate’s leaders as the finished third in the UEFA Nations League and qualified for Euro 2020.
He captained England for the first time in England’s Nations League defeat by land in June and has scored eight goals in nine internationals – taking his goal tally for 2019 to 36.
But his SPOTY nomination also recognises Sterling’s inspirational work towards the fight against racism in football. Sterling is one of the most recognisable players on the planet and has used his profile to combat the problem of discrimination.
Sterling received global acclaim for the way he dealt with being racially abused during City’s clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in December 2018 and has emerged as one of the Premier League’s leading anti-racism campaigners.
He has had a great year on and off the pitch for Manchester City and the national team
The 24-year-old will face stiff competition from England cricketer Ben Stokes, who will be the favourite to land the award following his breathtaking performance in the nerve-wracking World Cup final win over New Zealand and his heroics in the third Ashes test win over Australia at Headingly.
But football’s standing as the national game will make Sterling one of the leading contenders to scoop the award next month.
As revealed by Sportsmail last week, Sterling and City have opened discussions over a contract extension – even though the forward only signed a new deal 12 months ago.
Sterling will be happy to commit himself to the Etihad Stadium club and his pending new deal does not depend on Guardiola’s future.