Everything you need to know about the British star’s various pieces of body art, including photos
Raheem Sterling has admitted that if he can turn back time he “wouldn’t” get tattoos – but the Manchester City star also admits that getting a tattoo is addicting.
He explained to GQ magazine that he got the majority of his tattoos by the age of 19, adding only a few more in his twenties, and revealed that his mother “despises” some of his body art.
“If I could go back I wouldn’t have one,” Sterling said in the 2019 interview with the magazine, which was conducted by former Tony Blair spokesperson Alastair Campbell.
“It’s another thing that when you’ve started you can’t stop,” he added. “If you get one, you get another.”
So, what tattoos does Sterling have, what do they mean and where are they on his body? Goal take a look.
On this page
- The tattoos on the sleeves of Raheem Sterling
- Raheem Sterling body tattoos
- Raheem Sterling’s leg tattoos
- Who is Raheem Sterling’s tattoo artist?
The tattoos on the sleeves of Raheem Sterling
Sterling has a number of tattoos on both arms, to which he has added over the years.
On the outside of his right forearm, Sterling has a clock tower, which usually has time and moment capturing meaning.
Above the clock tower, near his right elbow, Sterling has the letters “Kgn” tattooed, which refer to Kingstown, Jamaica, where he was born.
On Sterling’s inner right forearm, he has two palm trees – again a nod to his Caribbean heritage – with an eagle right above them. Just above these, near his inner right elbow, he has one eye.
An angel with wings and a number of black birds are located on Sterling’s right shoulder.
Sterling’s left arm is also covered in personal symbolism, the inside of his forearm depicting a child, sporting a number 10 jersey and holding a ball in front of Wembley Stadium.
Just below, on her wrist, is her sister’s name – Kimblerly – with a crown. Above the Wembley tattoo is an image of Jesus on the cross, with a gravestone.
The theme of Wembley – the area of London where Sterling went to school – continues on the outside of his left forearm, with a London Underground sign for Wembley Station near his wrist.
A prayer or poem is inked on the inside of Sterling’s left bicep, and on his left shoulder is a picture of his daughter Melody, with her name on it.
Raheem Sterling body tattoos
The most striking tattoos on Sterling’s torso are the large crucifix in the middle of his chest and the two stars flanking him on either side.
Lower on his body, on his rib cage on the right side, a number of black birds surround the words “La Familia” – a tribute to his family.
On the left side of his torso, roughly his hip bone is an image of a lipstick kiss, with the word “Love” above it.
Interestingly, Lionel Messi has a similar type of tattoo, believed to be based on his wife’s lips, which are located on the same part of his body.
Raheem Sterling’s leg tattoos
Sterling’s tattoos mostly went under the radar until he appeared with what looked like a rifle depiction on his lower right leg in the summer of 2018 ahead of the World Cup in Russia. .
The gun tattoo has drawn criticism from various quarters, including TV personality Piers Morgan, who notably clashed with former England star Gary Lineker on Twitter over it.
As the controversy swirled, Sterling released a brief statement to explain the meaning of the ink.
“When I was two years old my father died from being shot,” he wrote in a post shared on Instagram. “I made myself a promise [that] I would never touch a gun in my life. I shoot with my right foot, so it has a deeper meaning [and is] still unfinished. “
A few years later, in 2020, Sterling reflected on the controversy arising from her pistol tattoo during a chat with U.S. Women’s National Team star Megan Rapinoe.
“The last World Cup I went to was a disappointment for me,” Sterling said. “I was so up for it, I thought ‘it’s my time now’, I had a great season with Man City, then bang, just negative.”
The City star added: “I had my tattoo for 10 months and just before going to the World Cup there is a story that I have a gun on my foot. I have this tattoo for 10 months, why at this time?
“I went [to the World Cup] that summer and I was thinking about all the negative press I had. It was disappointing for me on a personal note, but at the same time it was a great experience for the team to do really well. “
In addition to the controversial pistol tattoo on his lower right leg, Sterling has ink high on his upper right thigh, which looks like a rendering of a face. Considering its position, however, there aren’t many clear photos of it, so it’s hard to know which face it is.
On Sterling’s left leg he has a tattoo of himself kissing his son Thiago. He revealed the new ink in 2018 after the World Cup.
Who is Raheem Sterling’s tattoo artist?
Sterling’s most recent guy for tattoos seems to be Gabriel Maniak, the London owner of Gabriel Tattoos.
Maniak, who says his tattoo specialty is realism, has also worked for TV presenter Josh Denzel and American singer Anderson .Paak, among others.
Sterling’s tattoo with his son Thiago on the footballer’s left thigh was done by Gabriel.
In 2019, he shared a photo of Sterling’s tattoo, visible during a game, with the message: “It’s great to see my work everywhere! I look forward to our next session. ”
