Faith drives two Lions on

There are moments in life when magnificent things happen.

Last night was one such example. It arrived just after 10 o'clock when the final whistle blew at Wembley Stadium, and the England football team had somehow booked its place in Sunday’s final of the European Championships.

Two bright stars shone for the England team. In Raheem Sterling and Bukayo Saka, the Three Lions had two warriors with strong, unashamed Christian roots guiding their every move. It’s therefore little wonder both stood out for England as the Danes were tamed.

And it’s little wonder the national team has turned many heads with the quality of its performances, conceding one goal on its way to a showdown with Italy.

Sterling epitomises the confidence and self-belief pulsing through Gareth Southgate’s squad. He’s scored 15 goals in his last 21 matches and was one of the heartbeats of everything that was good at Wembley.

And the Manchester City flyer (pictured, below) has no doubts about what is spurring him on.

“My Christian faith is massive to me,” he has revealed on social media. “I always give thanks for my life, always give thanks for my family’s lives – and I’m just really grateful for the position I am in.”

Meanwhile, 20-year-old Saka, a newcomer to the national team after enjoying wonderful 12 months playing for Arsenal, added: “I grew up in a Christian family… this always made me curious to get to know God more and I have done so by reading my Bible a lot and going to church a lot over the years.

“My faith is constantly being exercised when I play in big football matches.”

Raheem Sterling will be profiled in the next edition of Sorted, which is on sale from 15 August 2021.