Sterling says that Sancho was so hard at workout that he had back pain while trying to stop him

RAHEEM STERLING knew from the first minute that he was training with Jadon Sancho that the teenager was destined for the summit.

The duo was opposed during a preparatory match at the City Football Academy almost three years ago.

Sterling was asked to play at the back and score the young winger – and he was quick to realize that he had an important job to play.

Sancho returned his widow companion, to the point that the former Liverpool star was afraid of a back injury.

Ace Sterling, 24, of Manchester City, said: "The first day I saw him train with us, I was really happy to see such talent.

"I always knew he would become the player he has, for sure. From the first minute.

"I was playing in the back sometime during pre-season practice and he spun and I almost did it."

Sancho, who turns 19 on Monday, could now consider Sterling as an example to follow as he hopes to capitalize on his incredible debut at Borussia Dortmund.

But Sterling smiled, saying, "I want to be like him! He is a great talent and I am really happy for him. "

Sterling's superb form for City was one of the reasons why Sancho feared he would not have a chance under Pep Guardiola at Etihad.

"I want to be like him!"

Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool wanted it all, but the starlet chose instead to pack and head to Germany and the Bundesliga.

As a teenager, Sterling took a big step forward, leaving family and friends in North London to switch from QPR to Anfield.

He liked how young Sancho thought when he decided to leave City.

Sterling told Sport360: "When he first mentioned me, he was planning to go abroad, even though he was a City player, I 'd like to say he' d been going to Canada. was happy to hear him say by him.

"To see this confidence, it reminded me of me when I went to Liverpool. To have two London and Liverpool teams to go to, I chose the following option: to have free time, away from my friends.

"So when he told me to leave, I knew that he had a huge chance to keep doing great things.

"I would not say that you have to be scared or afraid to take a risk, but to be essentially satisfied, especially at ease, and he has taken a step forward. I'm really happy to see him go so well.

"He's doing huge things and I hope he keeps his head up, keeps working and keeps learning."

Sancho have scored 12 badists in the Bundesliga this season in Dortmund, tied with Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi for most of the top five European leagues. For the record, Sterling is on nine in the Premier League.

"Be as arrogant as you want"

Sterling and Sancho stayed in touch, in part because they are now teammates of the Three Lions.

Yesterday, they found themselves at St George's Park as the English team of Gareth Southgate prepared for their Euro 2020 qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Montenegro.

And Sterling is happy to share his own life experiences at the top with a young player who has suffered so much.

He said: "In the field, it is not necessary to exercise caution. Be as arrogant as you want.

"For me, he just needs to keep doing what he does and think to the best of his abilities, because that ability can take him to the top. Outside the field, he is a top boy. Off the field, I try to help with advice. "

With only five years of separation between Sterling and Sancho, they could share an English cloakroom for many years.

And the ace of City is convinced that the Three Lions can end the long wait for silverware after reaching the last four games of the World Cup in Russia.

He said: "It's the pinnacle: raise a trophy with England. But we do not want to be carried away by ourselves.

"We have to work hard again. With the players we have now and coming, we have a huge chance.

"We had an excellent World Cup campaign, but we hope we can do better. We were so close to winning it and I was confident I could win it.

"I had seen how we had lived, how we played, and even though I did not score a goal, it was the most important thing for us.

"Forget me personally, for the country to go away after so long, I was happy to be part of it and play a part."

Preparations for next year's euros are starting seriously this week and Sterling has not lost hope that one day he could help England win World Cup glory.

He added, "The next World Cup in Qatar is far, but all I can do from here is to improve, grow as a person, grow as a player.

"And when that comes, think about it, at that moment."