Raheem Sterling has revealed that he is trying to follow in the footsteps of the world's two best footballers.

The 21-year-old Manchester City forward has an undoubted potential as evidenced by his new club's decision to pay Liverpool£49million for him this past summer.

Sterling showed glimpses of his ability during his time at Anfield and at City is now beginning to reap the rewards of completely dedicating himself to the game just as Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona's Lionel Messi have done before him.

"I look at the biggest players in the world and try to see what they've all got," he said. "Definitely Messi and Ronaldo. They basically just set their life to play football. I know that's obvious - they should - but they just take it so seriously.

"They've got massive self-belief and know they're the best players in the world. That's what makes them unique and so special.

"I don't like to compare myself with people but I try to learn as much as I can from everyone around me.

"I push myself really hard. I sometimes criticise myself a bit too much because I know where I want to be. That's no different if I score or I don't score.

"It's because I know what I'm capable of. To put it on the world stage is the most important thing now, showing people that I can play regularly and consistently, scoring goals and helping my team win matches.

"I'm a different person now to two or three years ago, especially in terms of my self-belief. I just take everything I hear in one ear and put it through the other. I concentrate on my football and that's all that matters.

"I just need to keep working hard at what I know I can do and it will all fall into place. When it does it'll be a great moment."

Since arriving at the Etihad Stadium, Sterling has scored eight goals and provided six assists in 22 appearances in all competitions for City.