John Stones believes Raheem Sterling’s career set-backs have made him a better player as he declared he would love to see his Manchester City team-mate win Player of the Tournament at EURO 2020.

Three goals and a string of impressive performances have made Sterling a leading contender for the individual accolade ahead of Sunday’s final with Italy.

It is a far cry from the last European Championships in 2016, when the winger was made a scapegoat for England’s failure, before he emerged as a key figure in a City side that have won every available trophy in the English game over the last four seasons.

Sterling’s selection was questioned prior to the tournament, but he has shown his best form to provide an emphatic response to the doubters and Stones believes his team-mate has used the tough moments in his career as motivation to take his game to new heights.

“I couldn’t be happier for him,” the defender said at a pre-match press conference ahead of the final.

“He has gone through some difficult times personally. You can see it has motivated and he has come out of it a better player.

“That’s what top players do. They find a way to succeed and excel as a person and as a player. Raheem has done that on and off the pitch. He really deserves it.”

Sterling’s goals proved the difference in group stage victories over Croatia and Czech Republic, whilst he was also on target in the memorable win over Germany and provided an assist for Harry Kane during a superb display in the quarter-final against Ukraine.

City’s No.7 has written the headlines in a memorable summer, but Stones says his selfless approach is equally as valuable to the team as his match-winning qualities.

“I am a big fan of Raheem,” he added. “I would love to see him get player of the tournament.

“What he has done for us and the unselfish part of his game kind of goes unspoken about. As players we see it.

“He has been a great threat going forward and, how direct he has been in the games, it has been great playing with him.

“I am sure he will be giving everything on Sunday and hopefully will get another goal and see where it takes us.”

Stones has been similarly important in Gareth Southgate’s set-up, starting every game as part of a watertight defence that has only conceded one goal in the run to the final. 

The Barnsley-born centre-back is no stranger to the big occasion with City, but he admits stepping out at Wembley on Sunday will be a special moment in his career and says the chance to make history is an additional source of inspiration.

“It’s huge and with it being at Wembley as well, it’s even more special,” he explained.

“I think it’s something we only could have dreamt of at the start of the tournament. We’re here to try and win it and we’ve got this far now and I think we’ve just grown and grown throughout the tournament.

“We have come so far as a team, made a lot of big steps and a lot of history. Sunday is another chance to do that. That is something that motivates and really pushes me on.

“It is about being as prepared as we can be and giving everything for the team and the nation and getting over the line on the day.”