Raheem Sterling hopes to replicate success of 'unique and special' Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

Former Liverpool forward was in sparkling form as Manchester City secure top-spot in their Champions League group

(PA)

Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling has revealed he hopes to take a leaf out of the successes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Leonel Messi.

The 21-year-old, who celebrated his milestone birthday on Tuesday, scored twice as City saw off Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Champions League as his breakthrough season at the Etihad continues in earnest.

“It’s definitely one of my best nights in football. I said to myself if I could get on the scoresheet and we top the group I’d definitely put it down as my best moment in football so far,” Sterling told The Guardian.

“I look at the biggest players in the world and try to see what they’ve all got. I don’t like to compare myself with people. I try to learn as much as I can from everyone around me. Definitely Messi and Ronaldo. They basically just set their lives to play football.

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates one of his four goals against Malmo (GETTY IMAGES)

“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.”

Sterling left Liverpool in the summer for a fee believed to be in the region of £49m, a switch which attracted unflattering headlines, but the England star is keen to focus on his football as Manuel Pellegrino’s side chase the Premier League title.

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

“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.”