Raheem Sterling targeting Wayne Rooney's Champions League goalscoring record
- Planet Sport writer
- 25 April 2022
Sterling is currently second on the all-time list for English goalscorers in the Champions League alongside Paul Scholes (24), with Rooney out in the lead with 30.
Raheem Sterling is hoping to add to his three goals in this season's Champions League competition and close in on former England team-mate Wayne Rooney.
The Man City forward - who has 24 goals and is in second place with Paul Scholes - has the chance to get closer to Rooney when he takes on Real Madrid in the first leg of their semi-final clash at the Etihad on Tuesday.
The 27-year-old said: "It's like anything - (after) you make your professional debut, it's then on to the next thing, scoring your first goal.
"Then after scoring your first goal, as a human you always have to try and do better and that's the case with me every season.
"I try to see how I can improve and all these things that come along. I was trying to see if I can get the England record and that's what I'll try to do."
Sterling, whose current contract expires at the end of next season, was unwilling to discuss his future after being nominated for media duties at City's pre-match press conference.
The former Liverpool player, who has previously been linked with a move to Real, said: "At the minute I'm just happy to be playing, happy to be contributing with the team. I think that's the most important thing.
On to the semi-finals 😉 #UCL pic.twitter.com/yKloYN69n2
— Raheem Sterling (@sterling7) April 13, 2022
"At this period, I think it would be selfish of me to speak of any contract situation and I'm just happy to be playing football and see where we are at the end of the season."
City are bidding to reach the final for only the second time following last season's runners-up finish.
Sterling said: "Every season we're always looking to challenge for all the big trophies and the Champions League is the one that we haven't quite got our hands on. It's one that we're focused on."
