GUNDOGAN: I KNOW HOW RAHEEM FEELS

City’s German star reveals he too was a victim of racial abuse after posing for photo with Turkish president Erdogan

ILKAY GUNDOGAN knows the “hurt” Raheem Sterling is feeling because he suffered his own racism hell in the summer.

He was targeted by some Germany fans during a preworld Cup friendly with Austria because he met Turkey’s controversial president Recep Erdogan. Gundogan, born in Germany with Turkish heritage, was also criticised by politicians and decided his best response was to stand up to his abusers.

The former Borussia Dortmund midfielder urged Manchester City team-mate Sterling – allegedly racially abused at Chelsea (right, bottom) – to make sure he keeps performing.

“We have to deal with it,” he said. “It’s not easy because I lived it in the summer as well. I know how that feels and it hurts.

“But in the end we’ve no other choice but to stay strong and try to go through that period and try to do our best on the pitch. Keep being successful, that’s what matters.”

Mesut Ozil and Cenk Tosun also met Erdogan at the Turkish embassy in London (top) and Arsenal midfielder Ozil quit playing for Germany when racist abusers made him a scapegoat for their World Cup failure. Gundogan, who gave Erdogan a signed City shirt with the message, “To my president with my respect”, says he sought help from the Germany team psychologist after being targeted.

He said at the time: “But I don’t want to run away. I want to face the situation.”