Raheem Sterling
Forward / Winger (indicated by "FOR" on the card) · Manchester City
Topps Match Attax UEFA Champions League #LE LI (Limited Edition Lightning)
Year & Era
2021-2022 — Modern Era (Soccer/Football Match Attax)
Card Type
Lightning Limited Edition / Trading Card Game (TCG) Insert
Grade
Raw — appears Good to Very Good (Estimated 4-5)
Rarity
Common for a Limited Edition; these were widely distributed via multi-packs, tins, and magazine inserts.
Overall Assessment
A standard gaming insert in 'well-loved' condition. While a nice souvenir for a Raheem Sterling or Manchester City fan, it holds negligible financial value in the current hobby market.
Condition Grade
Raw — appears Good to Very Good (Estimated 4-5)
Centering Assessment
Front: Approx 60/40 Top-Bottom; Left-Right seems relatively standard for this set, but the card suffers from significant bowing.
Surface Condition
Poor to Fair; significant horizontal scratching across the mid-section, visible scuffing, and heavy fingerprinting/smudges within the protective sleeve.
Corner Condition
Rounded and showing white wear; the bottom right corner in particular shows significant softening and structural impact.
Edge Condition
Heavy silvering and chipping visible on the left and right vertical edges; the bottom edge shows wear consistent with a played-with gaming card.
Print Quality
Standard TCG mass-production quality; features a foil/holographic "Lightning" effect that is prone to scratching.
Estimated Value
$1.00 - $5.00 USD (Low market value due to mass production and heavy wear)
Comparison to Known Examples
Significantly below average condition; most 'Limited Edition' cards of this era are kept in better condition by collectors for set completion.
Authentication Tips
Look for the genuine Topps logo and crisp text; these cards are rarely faked due to low market value, but original texture and foil patterns should be consistent with Match Attax sets.
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended; grading costs far exceed the market value of the card, and the condition would result in a very low grade.
Red Flags
No signs of counterfeiting, but significant physical damage (scratches/wear) acts as a red flag for any value-seeking buyer.
Provenance Notes
Originally distributed as a promotional inclusion in Topps Match Attax 2021/22 products or affiliated soccer magazines.
Historical Context
From Raheem Sterling's final segment of his highly successful Manchester City career, where he helped secure multiple Premier League titles.
Market Trends
Match Attax cards generally remain flat in value unless they are high-tier '100 Club' or rare 'Chrome' parallels; Sterling's market has softened slightly since his move to Chelsea/Arsenal.
Investment Potential
Minimal to None; TCG base inserts rarely appreciate unless the player reaches legendary historical status, and then only in Gem Mint condition.
Similar Cards
2021-22 Topps Match Attax Limited Editions of Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, or Jack Grealish.
Display & Preservation
Current sleeve is dirty/scuffed; recommend moving to a fresh penny sleeve and top-loader to prevent further silvering of the edges.
Interesting Facts
This card is part of the 'Lightning' subset, designed for use in the Match Attax tactical card game, featuring specific 'Power Play' stats for gameplay.