Tom Oldfield - Raheem Sterling--Young Lion

It was 14 November 2012. This was the biggest day of Raheems life so far after all, you only made your England debut once. Two months earlier, he had been called up for the World Cup 2014 qualifier against Ukraine and named as a substitute. He didnt get to come on but he still learned a lot from training with the countrys best players. It was hard watching from the bench, especially when the team was losing with ten minutes to go. With his pace and skill, Raheem knew he could have made a difference on the wing against a tired defence but in the end, England managed to get a draw without him.

This time, though, in Sweden, not only was Raheem playing but he was starting. Ill be testing some of the younger players in tomorrows friendly, Roy Hodgson, the England manager, had told him as they walked off the training pitch the day before. Youll be starting, Raheem we believe youre ready for this. Roy had always had great faith in him; at Liverpool, he had given him his debut at the age of just fifteen. Raheem could only nod and flash his trademark big smile. It was the news hed been waiting for.

In the tunnel before the match in Stockholm, he took a deep breath and let the noise of the 50,000 fans in the stadium fire him up. This was what he was born to do. Moments later, he walked out onto the pitch, holding the hand of a Swedish mascot. Just like for Liverpool, Steven Gerrard was there with him as captain and mentor. In the dressing room before the game, Stevie could see that Raheem was nervous.

Theres nothing to worry about, kid. Its no different to playing in front of the Kop at Liverpool. Dont rush things today just do your thing and enjoy it. Something tells me this wont be your only England cap!

Stevie patted him on the back and left him to his pre-match stretches. It was a real comfort to have such experienced teammates alongside him these big games could be pretty scary for a seventeen-year-old.

As the national anthem played, Raheem looked down proudly at the famous three lions on his white tracksuit top. He still couldnt quite believe that he was wearing the England shirt so soon into his career. What a year 2012 had been and there was still a month of it to go. Despite being born in Jamaica, England was certainly Raheems footballing home. His homeland would always have a special place in his heart but it was in London and Liverpool that he had developed as both a player and a person.

Just before kick-off, another Liverpool teammate, Glen Johnson, came over to give him some words of advice: Raheem, stay focused today. Youre on the right wing and Im at right back so well be working together a lot. Make those amazing attacking runs when you can but dont forget to defend too. I dont want to spend the whole game clearing up your mess! Glen gave him a friendly slap on the back and they took up their positions ready for the start.

Raheem knew it wouldnt be an easy game; the Sweden team included experienced Premier-League players like Jonas Olsson and Seb Larsson, plus one of his favourite players in the world, the amazing striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Raheem was really looking forward to playing against Zlatan and seeing his tricks and flicks up close. Zlatan did not disappoint, scoring the first goal after 20 minutes.

Five minutes later, Raheem found space for the first time in the match and he ran at the Swedish defence before passing to Danny Welbeck, who nearly set up a goal. Raheem could sense the Sweden fans holding their breath when he had the ball at his feet. They knew he was a threat and that gave him confidence.

Raheem was involved again as England made it 1-1. Stevie passed to him deep inside his own half and this time, rather than dribbling, he did what coaches had always told him to do get your head up and look up for the pass. He could see Ashley Young making a great run over on the left and he played a great ball out to him. Ashley did brilliantly and crossed for Danny to score.

England took the lead before half-time but the second half was all about Zlatan. His second goal was a volley, his third was a powerful free-kick and his fourth was one of the best goals Raheem had ever seen, an impossible overhead kick from thirty yards out. Watching such an amazing performance, Raheem was sure that he had the desire and the talent to be that good. He just needed to keep working hard.

With five minutes to go, Raheem was substituted. Well done, lad, Roy said as he made his way off the pitch. As he took his seat on the bench, Raheem felt really tired but pleased with the way he had played. It hadnt been the dream debut he had hoped for but it had been an amazing experience to represent his country. He couldnt wait to do it again, especially back at Wembley. As a kid, he had lived around the corner from the new stadium, playing football in the streets as it was being built. To play on that pitch in front of all those fans would be unbelievable.

On the flight back to England, Raheem thought back on how far hed come. There were times when his future had looked bleak. But thanks to football, he stayed out of trouble and learnt respect, hard work and self-esteem. He owed a lot of people for the support they had given him over the years his mum Nadine, his teachers, his coaches. They had all believed in his talent.

Most of all, he thought about what Chris, his teacher at Vernon House, had once said to him. If you carry on the way youre going, by the time youre seventeen youll either be in prison or playing for England. Raheem smiled to himself; thankfully, he had achieved the second option. But he promised himself that this was just the beginning.