Speaking to Sky Sports, Manchester City hero Pablo Zabaleta said: "I think the word 'legend' is a bit overused in football.
"Raheem Sterling has done a great job for the club. He came at a very young age and has been absolutely brilliant. For me, when I say legend, for me it's players like Sergio Aguero, David Silva, Vincent Kompany.
"Those guys are on a different level, that's why they have statues outside the club [the Etihad Stadium]. I wish Raheem all the best, he's a great lad, but Man City is always the most important thing for the fans and the players.
"When you come to this club you have to give 100 percent, and the moment you leave you always need to talk nicely to the club that you've been playing for so I wish he could behave in that way."
Sterling, who had just one year remaining on his Etihad contract, left Man City earlier this summer and joined Chelsea for £47.5 million.
Pep Guardiola sanctioned the 27-year-old's exit after the 2021/22 Premier League champions brought in Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund.
