Rio Ngumoha backs himself to win Ballon d'Or after England call-up

Summarised from 4 outlets · 6 reports · Updated 10 Nov, 19:20 · Archive

Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha, 18, has been called up to England's squad and says he can win the Ballon d'Or.

Rio Ngumoha, 18, is the youngest player in Thomas Tuchel's England squad for Nations League matches against Croatia and Spain this week. The Liverpool winger impressed during England's pre-tournament training camp in the United States and has forced his way into Tuchel's plans after a strong start to the season. With Bukayo Saka injured and more experienced players left out, Ngumoha has an opportunity to start against Croatia at Wembley on Thursday.

Ngumoha joined Liverpool from Chelsea's academy at age 16. Chelsea had been disgruntled with his departure and a tribunal ordered Liverpool to pay initial compensation of £2.8m in February, with potential for that sum to rise to £6.8m with various add-ons. Ngumoha said the move was a "no-brainer", explaining that Liverpool offered him "a new pathway" and promised he would become a first-team player if he proved himself.

The teenager has stated ambitious goals for his career. He said winning the Ballon d'Or is something he would "like to achieve" and believes he "can do it". Ngumoha cited Harry Kane's recent Ballon d'Or win as inspiration, saying it shows English footballers can reach that level and "definitely encouraging many more people" to pursue the award. He praised Kane's work ethic in training, describing his finishing drills and explaining why Kane is "known as the best striker, best player in the world".

Ngumoha has come a long way from an anxious child. He recalled being five or six years old, playing for a local team and asked to compete with older boys. "I just panicked and started crying and walked off the pitch because I was so scared because everyone was older than me," he said. "After that game, I realised I could have definitely competed with them, so yeah, I've toughened up a bit."

The winger uses football as an escape route and credits his family's support. His brother James, who identified his talent at age five, is now his agent and mentor. His mother Liz gave up her job at a school and moved to Liverpool to support his career development. Ngumoha said he has always visualised himself playing for England and believed "if you don't visualise anything or you don't dream big enough, then you might not ever achieve it".

How it is being reported

• From crying kid to Ballon d'Or hopeful: How fearless Rio Ngumoha toughened up, via quitting Chelsea for Liverpool at just 15 and being shielded from 'crime and stuff' in East LondonRio Ngumoha is back in with the older boys, only this time there are no tears. It is hard to believe the Liverpool and England winger could ever feel intimidated on a football pitch.Daily Mail Sport · 10 Nov, 19:00
• Rio Ngumoha on escaping crime, leaving Chelsea and his England dreamAt 18 years of age, wonderkid Ngumoha is the youngest player in England’s squad and tells Will Castle about his journey to realising his international football dream so earlyIndependent Sport · 10 Nov, 19:00
• Rio Ngumoha ready to make England splash as he spells out Ballon d’Or ambitionFearless winger has forced his way into Thomas Tuchel’s plans and believes he can become best player in the world Rio Ngumoha is fearless, exciting and ready to make his mark as an England player. The Liverpool winger narrowly missed the cut for the World Cup squad last summer but he impressed during the pre-tournament camp in Florida and has forced his way into Thomas Tuchel’s plans after an excellent start to the season. There is an opportunity for the 18-year-old to advance his case with Bukayo Saka injured and more experienced players left out for the Nations League games against Croatia…Guardian Football · 10 Nov, 19:00
• Rio Ngumoha explains why he left Chelsea for Liverpool: 'No-brainer'Ngumoha left Chelsea’s world-renowned academy to join Liverpool as a teenagerIndependent Sport · 10 Nov, 19:00
• Rio Ngumoha on ‘no brainer’ Liverpool transfer call and living out his England dreamRio Ngumoha quickly made an impression with Thomas Tuchel at a pre-World Cup camp with the Liverpool winger now in line to start for England vs Croatia at WembleyMirror Sport · 10 Nov, 19:00
• Liverpool wonderkid Rio Ngumoha sets his sights on winning the Ballon d'OrLiverpool wonderkid Rio Ngumoha could be in line to start for England against Croatia on Thursday - and is already setting lofty ambitions for his fledgling careerMirror Sport · 10 Nov, 19:00

In this story: Rio Ngumoha · Liverpool · England · Chelsea · Thomas Tuchel · Harry Kane · Wembley

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