Sports · Football · 1 hr ago
Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha targets England breakthrough and Ballon d’Or
Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha is aiming to establish himself with England at 18, after joining the squad for Nations League matches against Croatia and Spain.
He has impressed since moving from Chelsea to Liverpool as a teenager and made his Premier League debut last season.
Ngumoha says he once cried when asked to play against older children, but later realised he could compete and became more confident.
He says he believes he can win the Ballon d’Or, football’s top individual award.
His strong start to the season and impressive showing at England’s pre-World Cup camp helped bring him into manager Thomas Tuchel’s plans.
With Bukayo Saka injured, Ngumoha has a chance to earn more playing time, including a possible start against Croatia at Wembley on Thursday.
He also hopes to test himself against Spain and winger Lamine Yamal in Madrid on Sunday.
Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha says he hopes to win the Ballon d’Or and believes he can do so.
The 18-year-old is in England’s squad for Nations League matches against Croatia and Spain.
He has a chance to start against Croatia at Wembley and hopes to face Lamine Yamal when England play Spain in Madrid.
Ngumoha impressed at England’s pre-tournament camp in Florida after narrowly missing out on the World Cup squad.
He made his senior England debut on 6 June and has played three times for the national team, according to Mundo Deportivo.
- Who
- Rio Ngumoha, the 18-year-old Liverpool winger.
- What
- He has set his sights on winning the Ballon d’Or and is seeking a breakthrough with England.
- When
- He is in England’s squad for matches against Croatia and Spain this week.
- Where
- The Croatia match is at Wembley; England will play Spain in Madrid.
- Why
- Ngumoha says Harry Kane’s Ballon d’Or win inspires him and other English players.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Michael Owen won the Ballon d’Or, the previous time an English player had won it before Harry Kane, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Ngumoha made his senior England debut in a 1-0 friendly win over New Zealand and was named player of the match, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Ngumoha impressed at England’s pre-tournament camp in Florida but missed out on the World Cup squad.
Harry Kane became the first English player since Michael Owen to win the Ballon d’Or, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Ngumoha joined England’s squad for Nations League matches against Croatia and Spain.
- Age
- 18
- Club
- Liverpool
- England senior appearances
- 3, according to Mundo Deportivo
- England debut
- 6 June, against New Zealand
- Nations League opponents
- Croatia and Spain
- Ballon d’Or ambition
- Ngumoha says he would like to win it and thinks he can do so.
3 sources
El joven internacional inglés que se ve algún día Balón de Oro
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 London
Rio Ngumoha ready to make England splash as he spells out Ballon d’Or ambition
What people are saying
Being known as the best player in the world… I would like to achieve it, and I think I can do it.
He’s phenomenal. He’s one of the best in the world.
If there's an opportunity to beat my man, I'll always do it.