Raheem Sterling has been made to feel “disposable” after a decade at the top of football, a source close to the former England star has said, after his arrest on suspicion of driving “whilst unfit through drugs”.

The source said the former Man City and Chelsea winger, who is now playing for Feyenoord in the Netherlands, had been suffering from “immeasurable” psychological strain after an “extremely tough couple of years”.

It came after the 31-year-old was arrested on Thursday morning by Hampshire constabulary while driving a Lamborghini on the southbound carriageway of the M3 motorway.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the force said: “Just before 9am on Thursday (28 May), we received reports that a Lamborghini was in collision with barriers on the M3 southbound, close to the Minley Interchange.

“No other vehicles were involved and no injuries were reported.

“The driver, a 31-year-old man from Berkshire, has been arrested on suspicion of driving a vehicle whilst unfit through drugs, driving dangerously, possession of a class C drug and failing to provide a specimen.

“He has been bailed while our inquiries continue.”

Sterling has faced racist abuse throughout his career and has accused the media of helping to “fuel racism” through negative, unfairly critical coverage of black footballers compared with white players. The winger departed Chelsea by mutual consent in January after a performance that was widely deemed as disappointing. Sterling had 18 months left on a deal worth £325,000 a week.

PA Media approached Sterling’s representatives for comment. A source confirmed the arrest and said: “[This] brings into the spotlight modern treatment of players who are no longer ‘fit for purpose’ – disposable.

“How a prolific English international who has steered the England squad to significant heights over the last decade has been made to feel worthless – forgotten about.

“The psychological strain that has put on him is immeasurable. Isolated. The second he touches a ball, being told he’s a flop and he’s finished. Mocked. Heckled.

“He moved to the Netherlands to escape and rediscover his love for the game but the negativity followed. It’s been an extremely tough couple of years for him and this incident encompasses that.”

The source said they also wanted to emphasise Sterling had been arrested “under suspicion”, adding there is no “proof of anything in his system”.

Sterling, of Berkshire, has been bailed while inquiries continue.