'Love you forever': Raheem Sterling rips off England shirt after scoring to reveal tribute to childhood friend and social media influencer Steffie Gregg, 26, who died 'from Covid complications'
England star Raheem Sterling last night paid tribute to his childhood friend Steffie Gregg who reportedly died from Covid complications.
Sterling, 26, scored the opener in the World Cup qualifying win against Hungary in Budapest and immediately took off his shirt, showing a message saying 'Love you forever Steffie Gregg' who died on Tuesday at the age of 26.
England ran out 4-0 winners in the Hungarian capital, in a contest which started with English players being booed after taking a knee, with the fixture placed on FIFA's red-list due to a high risk of racist and homophobic abuse.
The English players were also subject to racist chanting during the game, directed at Sterling and 18-year-old England substitute Jude Bellingham when he was warming-up on the touchline.
Miss Gregg, who was the niece of Jamaican dancehall producer Rvssian, was a famous Twitch streamer with more than 36,000 followers on Instagram.
She suffered from the autoimmune disease Lupus, which led to the complications, according to local reports.
Rvssian wrote in a social media post: 'I feel helpless my little Steffie. I feel I failed you and couldn't protect you from this. Covid is real.'
England star Raheem Sterling last night paid tribute to his childhood friend Steffie Gregg who reportedly died from Covid complications
Sterling showed a message saying 'Love you forever Steffie Gregg' in memory of his friend who was pronounced dead on Tuesday
Gregg had been to watch Sterling play for Manchester City (left, May 2018) and she was a well-known businesswoman and popular member of the community in Upper St Andrew, Kingston
Miss Gregg's father was race car driver Gary Gregg and her brother Gary is also a racer
She suffered from the autoimmune disease Lupus, which led to the complications, according to local reports
She posted a picture on Instagram wishing her boyfriend Naldo Banks (pictured together) a happy birthday a month before she died
Miss Gregg died in Miami on August 31, sending shockwaves through Jamaica
What is Lupus?
Lupus is an illness in which the immune system produces too many antibodies which causes reactions leading to inflammation of parts of the body, skin, or organs.
Despite lupus being triggered by genetic or possibly environmental factors, the GSK survey also found that 41 percent of people feel less than 'comfortable' shaking hands with someone with lupus, indicating they believe it is infectious.
The disease is complex and deceiving and otherwise known as the 'invisible disease' because it works in flares and periods of remission.
In the UK, the number of people with lupus is estimated by researchers as 15,000, but there is no actual number because so many cases go undiagnosed and in fact, the numbers could be much higher.
He continued: 'You don't know until it hits home I lost you and daddy in the same week. You were one of the happiest persons ever & always had a great vibe & you lit the room up with your energy.
'You taught my daughter Adri the wine dance moves haha you guys remind me so much of each other.
'The hardest part was explaining to her that she will never be with you again was so hard when she cried out for you She loved you so much and looked up to you.
'It broke my heart …when u was a 6/7 years old me & xav & kyle sic use to say we would always have the shotgun ready for any of the boys who bother you.
'But you grew into a beautiful young lady who had all them at your feet, and we use to laugh about that together. Your mom is one of the strongest women I know & you got that from her - literal twins…
'I promise to take care of her for you because she lost her dad and you her daughter in one week and that can break anyone.'
Sterling shared pictures of his celebration on social media after the game, writing: 'This one was for you SVG.'
Miss Gregg died in Miami on August 31, sending shockwaves through Jamaica.
She was a well-known businesswoman and popular member of the community in Upper St Andrew, Kingston.
Sterling, who was born in Kingston, was close friends with her.
Her father was race car driver Gary Gregg and her brother Gary is also a racer.
She posted a picture on Instagram wishing her boyfriend Naldo Banks a happy birthday a month before she died.
Stars including Jamaica and Aston Villa winger, Leon Bailey, former track athlete Warren Weir and dancehall star Popcaan took to social media to pay tribute to her.
Weir wrote: 'Rest well my friend. SVG.'