Liverpool prodigy Rio Ngumoha believes he can win the Ballon d’Or
At just 16 years old, Rio Ngumoha is already making history with Liverpool. Days after scoring the stoppage-time winner against Newcastle in the Premier League, the teenager has declared he believes he has the talent to one day lift football’s most prestigious individual prize the Ballon d’Or.
Bold Statement From Anfield’s New Gem
In an interview shared by the Anything Liverpool profile, Ngumoha revealed his ambitions:
“I believe I can win the Ballon d’Or. I want to be considered one of the best football players who ever played football.”
The comments come only a week after his dream Premier League debut, where he needed just eight minutes on the pitch to make the difference for Arne Slot’s team.
Decisive Against Newcastle
Liverpool’s clash with Newcastle was heading toward a draw when Slot made a bold move, replacing Cody Gakpo with the teenager in stoppage time. Ngumoha touched the ball just four times but used every opportunity wisely.
After a neat sequence involving Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai, the youngster received the ball inside the box and calmly slotted past Nick Pope in the 55th minute of the second half, sealing Liverpool’s dramatic 3-2 victory.
The strike not only gave Liverpool three crucial points but also made Ngumoha the youngest player to score for the club in Premier League history, surpassing Michael Owen’s long-standing record.
Rising Through the Ranks
Born in London with Nigerian heritage, Ngumoha joined Liverpool from Chelsea in 2024. He had already caught the eye in preseason, scoring in a friendly against Athletic Bilbao, and his goal against Newcastle suggests that first-team opportunities will continue to come sooner than expected.
Playing Style and Potential
Praised by the British press as a creative, dribbling winger with excellent decision-making, Ngumoha combines flair with composure rare qualities for a teenager. His confidence, highlighted by his Ballon d’Or ambition, reflects a mentality Liverpool supporters hope will define a new era at Anfield.
