The Kid Who Actually Thinks He'll Win the Ballon d'Or (And Might Be Right)

By Lewis Barnett 26 August, 2025 6 mins read 100 Views

So there I was, watching this 16-year-old score a winner against Newcastle in the 100th minute on his Premier League debut, thinking... Christ, when I was 16 I couldn't even score with my crush at the school dance.

Rio Ngumoha just became Liverpool's youngest ever player. Not just youngest this season or youngest in recent memory - youngest EVER.

And here's the kicker: the kid genuinely believes he's going to win the Ballon d'Or someday. I mean, the audacity is almost refreshing in 2025, isn't it?

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Chelsea's $4 Million Mistake

Liverpool snatched Ngumoha from Chelsea back in September 2024, and honestly? The Blues are probably still crying into their overpriced coffee about it. They were so furious about losing him that they basically threw a tantrum and made sure he couldn't play for Liverpool's U18s until September.

Petty much?

The whole thing started when Liverpool scouts watched him tear apart Wolves in Chelsea's U17 Premier League Cup final back in April. Smart move, really. While everyone else was probably checking Instagram, Liverpool's recruitment team was actually doing their job.

Arne Slot called him up to train with the first team in November - just two months after signing. That's... that's not normal, by the way. Most academy signings spend at least a year proving themselves before they even get a sniff of first-team training.

Then came the Champions League trip to Girona where he couldn't actually play because of some boring UEFA List B criteria nonsense. (Poor kid probably felt like he was invited to the party but couldn't get past the bouncer.)

January 11th Changed Everything

His FA Cup debut against Accrington Stanley made him Liverpool's youngest ever player at 16 years and however many days. The exact number doesn't matter - what matters is he looked like he belonged there.

Fast forward to August 25th, 2025. Newcastle away. 100th minute. Game tied 2-2.

Ngumoha comes on as a sub and scores the winner.

On his Premier League debut.

I texted my mate who's a Newcastle fan immediately: "Your defense just got schooled by someone who wasn't alive when YouTube launched." His response was unprintable.

Left Wing, Right Foot, All Confidence

The kid plays predominantly on the left wing but can slot in anywhere across the front line. Right-footed, which actually works perfectly for cutting inside from that left flank - very Robben-esque, if you will.

He's already represented England at U15 and U17 levels, bagging two goals for the former. Not bad for someone who's still figuring out how to parallel park.

"I Truly Believe I Can Win the Ballon d'Or"

This is where it gets interesting. Most teenagers would mumble something about "taking it one game at a time" or "just happy to be here." Not Rio.

During an appearance on Inside the Academy in October 2024, he straight-up said: "I truly believe I can win the Ballon d'Or one day. I want to be regarded as one of the best players to ever play football and be a legend of the game."

The balls on this kid.

He continued: "The love for football started when I was four or five. I was watching my brother and I wanted to be like him. I was going to academies from a young age and it was a big thing when so many clubs wanted to sign me."

Then he dropped this gem: "I have learned you have to be resilient and believe in yourself. You can have a few bad games but you have to have that belief that you are the best. For me, if I am in bad form I just put it behind me and work hard."

That's... actually pretty mature for someone who probably still gets asked for ID at PG-13 movies.

What the Grown-Ups Are Saying

Slot's been singing his praises since day one: "It's always special if young players make their debut, there's a smile on my face, he's a young kid. Every time he trains with us, he's not afraid to do what he's good at."

Translation: the kid doesn't get intimidated training alongside players earning more in a week than most people make in five years.

After that Newcastle winner, Virgil van Dijk - who's seen a thing or two in his career - said: "It was a dream debut for him. I'm very pleased for him. It's all a start for him, he has to keep working hard and stay humble. But he has to enjoy this, because you can't take this for granted."

Coming from van Dijk, that's basically a ringing endorsement.

Number 73 and Rising

They've given him the No. 73 shirt, which sounds random but honestly? In ten years, Liverpool fans might be fighting over replica 73 jerseys.

The kid's got that rare combination of technical ability, confidence, and timing that separates the genuine prospects from the academy also-rans. Plus, scoring a Premier League winner on your debut is the kind of thing that either makes you or breaks you.

Something tells me Rio Ngumoha isn't the breaking type.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you determine the Premier League champion?

The Premier League is won by the team who accumulates the most number of points throughout the 38 match season. Three points are awarded for each win, while one point is given for a tie and none for a defeat. If both teams end the season on the same number points, the champion will be determined based on the goal differential and if required, by the number of goals. If the teams still are level, then a game at a neutral ground may decide the title. But this scenario is not known to have happened in Premier League.

How has Premier League evolved from its creation?

The Premier League's evolution has been significant since its creation in 1993. The Premier League was formed in 1992 as a breakaway group from the Football League, to capitalize on lucrative television deals. Since then, it has grown into a global sporting phenomenon, attracting top talent from all over the world, undergoing branding changes, and experiencing massive increases in revenue. The league has also seen advancements in sports science, training facilities, and stadium technologies, contributing to an overall enhancement of the football spectacle.

What initiatives of the Premier League are supported by community?

The Premier League sponsors a range of initiatives in the community aimed at improving people's lives. These efforts include education and sports development programs for young people, promoting the inclusivity of underrepresented groups in football, and supporting projects that use football as a tool for positive social change. Premier League's reach globally allows it to make an important impact within the UK and beyond, highlighting footballs potential to improve societal well being.

What is VAR's role in Premier League?

The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system is utilized in the Premier League to aid on-field referees in making the correct decisions regarding goals, penalty decisions, direct red card incidents, and cases of mistaken identity. The VAR analyzes footage and gives advice to the referee. He can then view the replay on the pitchside monitor prior to making a final decision. The system's goal is to minimize any human errors that may affect the result of a game.

What happens if a team finishes at the bottom in the Premier League?

The teams who finish the Premier League season in the bottom 3 positions are relegated into the Championship. This is the second division of English football. The Championship is the second tier of English football.

Statistics

In the 1995–96 season, Manchester United achieved the largest title-winning margin, finishing 18 points clear of the second-placed team.
Durability is exemplified by Gareth Barry who made an impressive 653 Premier League appearances, the highest number to date.
Petr Čech set a remarkable defensive record during the 2004-2005 season with 24 clean sheets, the most by a goalkeeper in a single Premier League season.
Ryan Giggs holds the distinction of scoring in 21 consecutive Premier League seasons, marking consistency seldom seen in such a demanding league.
Alan Shearer is the all-time top scorer in the Premier League with 260 goals across his stellar career.

External Links

How To

Fantasy Premier League: How to Play

Create an account on the Fantasy Premier League official website to begin playing. After registering, you can 'buy' players based on the performance they have on the field. Strategize your selection based on player form, fixtures, and price. Throughout the season, manage your team by transferring players in and out, selecting your captain for bonus points, and using special chips to maximize points during pivotal moments of the Premier League season.