Dutch media's instant Raheem Sterling verdict as Feyenoord fans' gesture spotted

The Dutch media have offered their verdict on Raheem Sterling’s Feyenoord debut after the former Chelsea man made his first appearance of the 2025/26 season.

On Sunday (22 February), Sterling was introduced in the 61st minute, meaning he played his first professional match since the final game of the 2024/25 campaign, when he was on loan at Arsenal from Chelsea.

The England international, who boasts 82 caps for his country, had been exiled to Chelsea’s ‘bomb squad’ before mutually agreeing to terminate his contract in January, allowing him to join Feyenoord on a free transfer.

Feyenoord trained in Belgium last week, as Sterling was dealing with work permit issues, meaning he could not train with the team in the Netherlands at that time.

After a complicated and no doubt frustrating period in his career, Sterling will certainly be relieved to have finally graced a football pitch again as Feyenoord ran out 2-1 winners against Eredivisie strugglers Telstar, thanks to Anis Hadj-Moussa’s first-half brace, which cancelled out Jochem Ritmeester van de Kamp’s opener.

Speaking to ESPN after his debut, Sterling said: “[It has] been a great introduction.

“The trip to Belgium, I think that was for myself a very good one to get integrated with the boys and get to know your team-mates and know what they’re about, so it was very enjoyable.”

After the game, Sterling’s team-mate Jakub Moder pushed him towards the Feyenoord fans inside De Kuip before they exchanged applause — a gesture Sterling likely appreciated given his lengthy absence from competitive football.

But what did the Dutch media make of his performance?

AD wrote: “The 31-year-old Englishman deserved his moment with the Rotterdam fans. And why not? If anything brought some cheer to the lacklustre performance against Telstar, it was the 82-cap international.

“Not that Sterling made any real impression playing-wise in the half hour he was given against the relegation candidate — not at all. But in Rotterdam, they firmly believe the left winger will quickly reach a level that will benefit Feyenoord in the battle for second place. In the hunt for the millions that a Champions League ticket brings.”

De Telegraaf added: “The 82-cap England international came on as a substitute at De Kuip after just over an hour of play against Telstar, drawing loud applause. He wasn’t yet able to treat his new fans to a flashy performance.

“Cheered with every touch, his first four balls went backwards. Then came an individual effort, but Sterling got stuck.”

Feyenoord return to action away to FC Twente on 1 March.