Raheem Sterling has, quite undeservedly, come under some flack for his tattoo choices of late.

The England star has explained that the ink of a gun on his right leg is there to commemorate his murdered father and represent that way he shoots with his right foot, but that's not been good enough for some media outlets desperate to vilify him for 'glamorising gang culture'.

But here's one tattoo they can't drag, no matter how hard they try: an image of a young boy, dressed in a number 10 shirt, looking up at Wembley Stadium's arch.

xView full post on X

That tattoo - which Sterling has had for a while - is going viral at the moment for all the right reasons. It's represents a boyhood dream fulfilled through talent and hard work - the opposite of a 'bad role model'.

It's also a reminder that footballers aren't all the spoilt, mindless brats the tabloids like to make them out to be. Speak to people who have met Sterling, and they usually describe him as a thoughtful and modest professional out to do his best.

Which, it so happens, includes trying to make English dreams come true at the World Cup this month - while his detractors no doubt be cheer him on with the rest of us. Good luck Raheem. As the tweet everyone is sharing says: you've made it.