The Liverpool striker scored the only goal of the game in England's friendly win over Denmark this week and is hoping to be in Roy Hodgson's squad for the World Cup finals in Brazil this summer.
"During the afternoon before the Denmark game I was watching Maradona's clips to take pointers from the skills he was doing," he revealed. "There are a lot of inspirations for me. I have watched clips of so many players. I'll be watching players like Michael Owen, Paul Gascoigne, Pele, Ronaldo - all these older players who have done it before me.
"There are no guarantees I will be on the plane (to Brazil) but I am working as hard as I possibly can to make sure I will be there. It is important that I keep improving.
"For me, I can never stop improving no matter what age I am at and what club I am at. I have to push myself as hard I possibly can to get as good as I possibly can," he added.
Sturridge is in fine form at Liverpool this season and credits his fellow players for helping him improve.
"The senior players have helped me so much and helped all the young players who have come into the squad. I've learned a lot from Luis, but I have been given the opportunities to play now and that is what is more important than anything else.
"If you're not given an opportunity then you can't produce. If you don't play as a young player, it is difficult to progress. It is about the team, it is not about myself - it's not about me feeling amazing or anything. I am just humbled to be given the platform to play for my club and my country."