Belgium star Kevin De Bruyne backed Manchester City team-mate and England attacker Raheem Sterling to light up the World Cup .
De Bruyne and Sterling are set to do battle in Group G, with Belgium and England meeting June 28.
The duo starred to lead City to a record-breaking title success in the Premier League in 2017-18.
And De Bruyne believes his club team-mate, who scored 18 goals and provided 11 assists in the Premier League last season, is ready to dominate for England in Russia.
He s a special player. This season he was playing at such a high level and he s only going to get better, he told The Mirror.
He s a winner – any criticism he has faced in the last few weeks I know he will just ignore. At Manchester City he s so focused on success and I know he would have the same attitude with England.
He scored many goals last season, but he scored important goals too – goals that won games in the last minute – and that takes a special type of player.
On the big occasions he has the confidence – that is why I think he will light up the World Cup.
Sterling and England face a huge test to finish top of their group, with Belgium heading into the World Cup with a star-studded squad.
De Bruyne said Roberto Martinez s men were full of belief, with their first outing a clash against Panama Monday.
We know this Belgium squad is special and, of course, we re desperate to win a trophy, he said.
We have the belief, but there can only be one nation that wins the World Cup – but we re ready for the fight.
