The next Ballon d'Or winner? Liverpool's 18-year-old star makes a bold statement after Kane's triumph
Liverpool may already have a future Ballon d'Or winner in their squad! Just 18 years old, Rio Ngumoha has made an incredibly ambitious statement about his career. The young English winger believes he can become the best footballer in the world, inspired by Harry Kane's recent triumph.
Details: Speaking to The Telegraph, Ngumoha openly admitted that winning the Ballon d'Or is one of his biggest dreams. The Liverpool youngster believes he has the talent and determination to achieve it. Fabrizio Romano highlighted his comments on November 10, drawing attention to the extraordinary confidence of the young England international.
Ngumoha explained that Kane's victory in the 2026 Ballon d'Or voting has given English football a major psychological boost. The Bayern Munich striker became the first English winner in 25 years, proving to younger players that they can reach the very top. Ngumoha believes this achievement will encourage an entire generation to pursue individual greatness.
The winger's rapid development supports his confidence. Having left Chelsea's academy for Liverpool in 2024, he established himself in the first team and earned an England call-up under Thomas Tuchel. Ngumoha has also praised Kane's professionalism in training and hopes to make an impact in upcoming international matches against Croatia and Spain.
It's worth noting that Kane won the Ballon d'Or on October 26 after an outstanding season with Bayern Munich. Ngumoha is still at the beginning of his professional career and has not been nominated for the award. His statement reflects his personal ambition rather than any guarantee of future success.
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Miguel Solomons
Dailysports's expert
