Raheem Sterling’s baptism went viral less than three days before the first North London derby of the 2024-2025 Premier League season involving his new club, Arsenal, and local rivals, Tottenham Hotspur.
The top-rated Premier League footballer, with a great career that has spanned big clubs in the England top division, is known for his heroics on the field, having played and won several domestic titles in English football.
However, recently, the player showed off the other part of his life away from the field after footage of him undergoing baptism went viral.
Amidst an eventful summer that saw the English footballer switched to Arsenal on loan from Chelsea, the footballer settled for a commitment to his faith by being baptized.
Raheem Sterling’s baptism reportedly took place in Jamaica on Sunday, September 8, 2024 but became public recently. In a viral video, the player could be seen being dipped into the water as he takes a religious vow to commit to his faith.
Raheem Sterling’s religious life
Raheem Sterling is one of the few footballers known for their deep commitment and expression of religious faith. While at Manchester City, he was reportedly noticed by City manager Pep Guardiola for his religious expression. He would reportedly isolate himself and read his bible as noted by Guardiola
“In the midst of it [the dressing room], one man sits reading the Bible: the 24-year-old Londoner, Raheem Sterling. Sterling has an unshakable faith in God and in the fact that his own talent is God-given,” Guardiola said.
Commenting on his religious life, Sterling linked his deep convictions to his awakening and discovery that his initial life pursuits weren’t what he wanted. According to him, he needed something more meaningful which he has found in his faith.
“As I’m growing, I’m maturing. I could see that I was chasing my ego, was going into different environments. Also, I was going to certain places and doing certain things and I’m coming to the realisation that I don’t believe this is what I want. I don’t believe this is who I truly am.”
Sterling is not the only Premier League player that has publicly flaunted his spiritual life. Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker is also known for his commitment to his religious faith.
Becker once used his swimming pool in his Merseyside home to baptize his former Liverpool teammate Roberto Firmino. Firmino is also a deeply religious footballer. The Al-Ahli forward founded a church in 2021 in his hometown, Brazil, and was recently ordained as a Pastor in the church.
While Sterling’s spiritually inclined living has not gone unnoticed, the baptism affirms the player’s utmost believe in his faith bringing him at par with the likes of Becker and Firmino.
Raheem Sterling’s loan move and Arsenal chances
Away from his public expression of faith, Sterling is set for a new one-year chapter with Arsenal in the Premier League. The England winger joined Arsenal on deadline day after he was deemed surplus to requirement at Chelsea under new manager Enzo Maresca.
He may likely make his debut for the Gunners in the North London Derby against Tottenham Hotspur. However, his chances in the squad had been dominating the headlines.
Notably, Sterling is a very versatile footballer. He can play as a forward, winger, and central midfielder. However, his chances at Arsenal are still slim. While Mikel Arteta considers him a great addition to the squad due to his experience, he is more likely to play second fiddle to Arsenal’s first-team players like Bukayo Saka, Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, and Kai Havertz.
