Like much of Europe, Raheem Sterling will be glued to the TV on Saturday when Liverpool and Real Madrid battle it out to be crowned Champions League kings.
Sterling, though, has a far bigger interest in the outcome than others. Liverpool, of course, is where he made his name.
That spellbinding 2013/14 season under Brendan Rodgers where they fell just short in the race to pip Manchester City to the Premier League title saw Sterling burst onto the scene.
Raheem Sterling will be glued to the TV on Saturday when Liverpool play Real Madrid in final
Sterling was part of Liverpool’s spellbinding 2013/14 season under Brendan Rodgers (left)
When they were firing, the Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Sterling triumvirate was impossible to stop; the latter playing a huge part for the Reds in that unforgettable title race in 2014.
Four years later, Sterling finally has his Premier League winners medal, scoring 23 goals in City’s record breaking romp to the title.
Yet the failure to help Liverpool win their first championship since 1990 remains a pain Sterling finds difficult to shift.
Sterling’s moved on since his time at Anfield. Yes, the exit was tumultuous – but even the most ardent of Liverpool supporters couldn’t deny Sterling’s impact on Merseyside.
When Sterling kicks back to watch the game at St George’s Park on Saturday night, following his latest pre-World Cup training session, all those memories of Liverpool will come flooding back.
All the awards: twice named Liverpool young player of the year and winning the prestigious European Golden Boy award in 2014.
When firing, Luis Suarez (left), Daniel Sturridge and Sterling were impossible to stop
All the wins, and, of course, the losses – namely that fateful day against Chelsea when their dreams of the title came crashing down.
Sterling’s departure to the Etihad Stadium may be have acrimonious, nevertheless Sterling remains attached to Anfield.
Similarly, however, Sterling will be watching Real rather closely, too.
It’s no secret that Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane is a huge fan of the City attacker – the Frenchman has publicly admitted his admiration for the England star.
Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t ready for the scrapheap just yet. But Real have already started work on identifying the Portuguese superstar’s long-term replacement.
Sterling played a huge part for the Reds in that unforgettable title race back in 2014
Filling Ronaldo’s shoes seems the impossible job, but Sterling will certainly be in the running when that time comes.
For now, of course, Sterling’s focus is on the World Cup. Following his brilliant season at City, the 23-year-old is certain to be a key player for Gareth Southgate in the coming weeks.
Regardless of what happens in Russia, he’ll return to City riding on the crest of wave. There were doubts over his position under Pep Guardiola at the start of last season.
Sterling will be watching the Champions League final on Saturday through red-tinted glasses
Ten months later, Sterling’s established himself as one of City’s key men. With two years left on his contract, City will be looking to sign Sterling to a new contract as a matter of urgency.
If nothing can be agreed, then who knows what the future may hold? Real Madrid? Or, who knows, a return to Anfield?
That prospect seems impossible, of course, given the tensions behind his move to Manchester City. Nevertheless, Sterling will be watching the Champions League through red-tinted glasses.