After Raheem Sterling's first appearance for Feyenoord was not received well by many people, Jack Grealish came out and defended his former Manchester City colleague
SC Feyenoord Rotterdam forward Raheem Sterling plays during the match SC Feyenoord Rotterdam vs SC Telstar at the Stadium De Kuip for the Dutch Vriendenloterij Eredivisie season 2025-2026 in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on February 22, 2026
Raheem Sterling recently played his first minutes of 2026(Image: EYE4images/NurPhoto)
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Jack Grealish hit out at social media criticism towards Raheem Sterling after he endured a difficult debut for Feyenoord. Sterling, 31, made his first appearance of the season for Robin van Persie's side, but struggled to impose himself against Eredivisie side Telstar.
Van Persie admitted he was not completely surprised by the former Chelsea forward's quiet debut, given the fact the ex-England international had been training on his own for months in west London. Nevertheless, this did not stop many on social media from slating Sterling's display.
One post even suggested the former Manchester City and Liverpool winger should retire from football. After seeing this post, Grealish, who played alongside Sterling for the City and the Three Lions, could not contain his anger towards the comments being levelled against Sterling.
Commenting on the post laying into Sterling on Instagram, Grealish wrote: "What a f***ing stupid Instagram post. Man, what’s wrong with you guys?
"[The] Guy hasn’t played or trained for so long. People like you guys are what’s wrong with the world. Have some respect.”
As a result of Sterling's work permit to work in the Netherlands initially not being accepted, Van Persie moved Feyenoord's training to Belgium for one session, to help integrate Sterling into the team. He was then introduced off the bench for Feyenoord's 2-1 victory, which saw Anis Hadj-Moussa score a brace. Post-match, Sterling said: "Haven't played in little bit, but just trying to keep fit.
"Been with the team now for a little bit, so it's just all on building a step at a time and trying to get to match fitness. Good to start your first game with a win, think that's the most important. [With] the targets that we're chasing, so a good debut."
Before the match, Van Persie also admitted it will take a long time for Sterling to regain his full match fitness. The ex-Arsenal and Manchester United forward said: "Raheem trained last Tuesday, for the first time with the group.
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"That was his first time in a group in several months. When you see the choices he makes in small moments, how quickly he thinks and switches, you see that other players also see it and respond to it. That's how it works.
"You also want to show each other that you're good too. That was evident in those training sessions. In my opinion, he's a player of exceptional quality.
"He showed that in those training sessions. I enjoyed seeing that, and so did his teammates. How match-fit are you after not playing for six months? It depends on how he gets through tomorrow.
Jack Grealish defended his former teammate Raheem Sterling
Jack Grealish defended his former teammate Raheem Sterling(Image: Getty Images)
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"That looks positive. But we have to be careful with him. We'll talk to Raheem about that. He needs some time to be able to play 90 minutes.
"That won't be Sunday and it won't be next week either. But we'll try to get there as soon as possible. We'll do it our way, as quickly as possible, but responsibly and calmly."
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