Let's take a whirlwind tour of the last three years of Raheem Sterling's career.The 23-year-old earned himself a £49million move to Manchester City in 2015 and is now a Premier League winner having just enjoyed his best season to date.Under the stewardship of Pep Guardiola, the forward scored 23 goals and assisted another 12 in all competitions in the 2017/18 campaign.And then there's the more scandalous side to his personality. Paying for his Mum's sink, having a nice car and worst of all, going out for breakfast.We're joking, of course, but there are some sections of the media that have lambasted the England international's every move. Most recently, he was targeted by The Sun for having a gun tattoo on his leg, despite the body-art being a tribute to his deceased father.As Danny Rose reminded us all too poignantly last week, footballers can really struggle with their emotions regardless of how much they earn, and their wages certainly don't make them immune to criticism.Sterling has been speaking about the negativity that has surrounded his short career so far and has highlighted Euro 2016 - when England crashed out to Iceland - as a particular low point.

“I remember my first game at the Euros, I thought I did all right,” Sterling told Copa90 as part of a documentary entitled: 'England & The Media - Time To Change The Toxic Relationship?'

“Got past my opponent a couple of times, got a couple of balls in and you just get caned. Now I am constantly thinking, ‘If I do this, something bad will come of it.’

Sterling's family have been impacted 

“[I am thinking] if I go out tonight, something bad is going to happen. Anything that happens my mum is always on the phone. She is more the one who is stronger than me.

"She will tell me how to get through, not to pay attention, but there have been times when she is close to breaking.

“Until football is finished I will try and stay in as much as I can, watch TV and no one can say nothing.”

This ought to be the time of Sterling's life; he's on the plane to Russia, playing his best football and lifting trophies as part of arguably the best team the Premier League has seen.

To hear him speak of football having such a sad impact upon him and his family is pretty heartbreaking.

Perhaps this year, if England do disappoint - and it certainly can't be ruled out given their track record - their young squad will be given a break.

How big a role do you think Sterling will have at the World Cup? Have your say in the comments.