Rio Ngumoha: From crying kid to Ballon d'Or hopeful after quitting Chelsea for Liverpool

Rio Ngumoha has recalled how he once cried and walked off the pitch as a young child after discovering he was playing against older boys, a far cry from the 18-year-old now on the verge of his first England start. The Liverpool winger, the youngest player in Thomas Tuchel's squad for the Nations League matches against Croatia and Spain, said he has toughened up considerably since that moment.

Ngumoha also expressed his belief that he can one day win the Ballon d'Or, following Harry Kane's recent success. He explained that his fearless dribbling style was forged playing in cages near his home in East London and was never discouraged during his time at Chelsea or Liverpool.

Raised by his mother and brother, Ngumoha said that football was an escape route that shielded him from crime in the area. He left Chelsea's academy at the age of 15 to join Liverpool, describing the move as a no-brainer because of the clear pathway the club offered him to the first team.

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Despite his quiet maturity, Ngumoha showed a glimpse of his youthful side by naming a Nando's meal as his fantasy food and joking that the restaurant chain should sponsor him with a Black Card.

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