Raheem Sterling dedicates Watford goal to Manchester City team-mate Gabriel Jesus with ‘hello mum‘ celebration
Every time the injured Brazilian scores he pretends to phone home and say 'alo mae' to his old dear
RAHEEM STERLING dedicated his goal against Watford to injured team-mate Gabriel Jesus by copying his ‘hello mum’ celebration.
The Brazilian was left in floods of tears after suffering a serious knee injury in the 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace on New Year’s Day.
Tests have confirmed the striker suffered medial collateral ligament damage and is facing around two months out.
Jesus celebrates each of his goals by pretending to call his mum on the phone and saying “Alo mae” and he has even had a tattoo to symbolise his famous gesture.
And Sterling borrowed it for his 18th strike of the season against Watford after tucking home in the opening minute.
And Sterling confirmed the dedication to his missing colleague, Tweeting: “today’s win was for you my bro, I pray you have a speedy recovery!”
Earlier, Jesus had seemed upbeat and vowed to roar back with the league leaders in 2018. He wrote: "Today I went through an image exam on my left knee that diagnosed a small medial colateral ligament injury!"
"Thanks God, I won’t have to go through any surgery procedure. Thanks for all the fans support and positive thoughts! Happy new year! 2018 is going to be my year!!!"
Manchester City 3 Watford 1: Watch highlights as Raheem Sterling scores after 38secs
And Pep Guardiola has revealed that inclusion of all his squad players – fit, injured, starting or benched – is a key to their success.
He said: “We always talk with team spirit about how we celebrate the goals.
“That is simple to see but it is not the real situation.
"That is the players that don't play when they are warming up or on the bench and after that in the locker room but every day not just in games.
"You can ask all managers when they have success and win titles - always the common thing is the group is strong: not 11 players, the group.”