The 18-year-old Liverpool winger could start for England against Croatia on Thursday, with Bukayo Saka injured.
Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha says Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane's Ballon d'Or win has helped English football, and that he wants to win the award himself. He told The Guardian at the England camp, where the 18-year-old is preparing for the Nations League games against Croatia and Spain.
Kane became the first Englishman in 25 years to win the award, beating Kylian Mbappé and Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal on 26 October. Ngumoha said the win has had a wider effect: "It's also helped English football now because everyone's seen one of us win the Ballon d'Or, it is definitely encouraging many more people to want to be known as the best player in the world."
Ngumoha said he wants the same thing. "For me, I would like to achieve it and I think I can do it." ESPN reports he also said Kane is an inspiration to every young player, and probably every England player as well. "He's a top guy."
He described his game on the wing:
"I'm quite fearless. If there's an opportunity to beat my man I'll always do it."
The chance to play comes with Bukayo Saka injured, and with more experienced players left out for the Nations League games. Ngumoha could start when Croatia visit Wembley on Thursday. This is his third England camp, and he made his debut as a substitute in a World Cup warm-up win against New Zealand in Tampa. "I'm competing with the best players in the world, so it's not going to be easy," he said of his chances. "But if I can show myself in training and if the manager gives like faith and believes in me, then I'd love to start."
Ngumoha joined Liverpool from Chelsea's academy in 2024. Chelsea were angry about the deal, and a tribunal ordered Liverpool to pay a minimum of £2.8m. "I feel like I needed a new challenge," he said. "Liverpool gave me a new pathway." He has 44 Liverpool appearances, and he is still to agree a new contract as he approaches the final 18 months of his current deal.
England play Spain in Madrid on Sunday, and The Guardian reports he would love to test himself against Yamal.
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