World Cup dream inked in the stars
Raheem Sterling's tattoo of a boy in a No 10 shirt suggests he had a date with destiny for England
The tattoo on England forward Raheem Sterling's left forearm suggests he may have been predestined to play the role he has been thrust into at the World Cup.
Depicting a boy in a No 10 shirt clutching a football and looking up at the arch of Wembley Stadium, it represents both the past and the thrilling future that the 19-year-old Liverpool winger now embodies.
Jamaica-born Sterling grew up a short walk from the English national stadium in northwest London and the tattoo symbolises the childhood dreams he once harboured that are now coming true beneath the Brazilian sun.
"I grew up five minutes from the stadium," Sterling said on the eve of England's must-win clash with Uruguay.
"I used to say to myself, 'One day, I'd like to play there. Hopefully I could do that', and I am really grateful to be given that opportunity.
"I know there have been some great players who have played for this country, so for me to be selected in the national team was a great achievement."