Those who watched Rio Ngumoha in his early years were quick to spot his extraordinary potential. Saul Isaksson-Hurst, a former Chelsea academy coach, recalls telling Ngumoha’s brother, “He’ll win the Ballon d’Or one day.” Speaking to SPORTbible, Isaksson-Hurst insists, “I still believe it. Rio has the qualities to become one of the best players in the world.”
This is not a casual opinion. With over a decade of experience coaching at Chelsea, Arsenal, and Spurs, Isaksson-Hurst has guided countless young talents. His first group at Cobham included players like Jamal Musiala, Levi Colwill, and Tino Livramento, while at Tottenham he worked with Mikey Moore, whom James Maddison once compared to Neymar. Yet, he says, none stood out like Ngumoha. “He was different,” he recalls, remembering coaching the winger as an under-nine in 2016.
Ngumoha’s talent was apparent from the start. “The way he glided past players was on another level,” Isaksson-Hurst says. Even when Chelsea exited a youth tournament in France at the group stage, Ngumoha earned the Player of the Tournament award. Almost a decade later, the world witnessed that talent when the 16-year-old became Liverpool’s youngest-ever goalscorer, netting a dramatic 110th-minute winner against Newcastle on his Premier League debut.
Those closest to him emphasize that this success is the result of years of dedication. His brother James, who often trained with him for hours in local Powerleague cages in Newham, is repeatedly cited as a major influence. “They worked relentlessly,” says former Chelsea coach Terry Bobie. “Every day, week in, week out, for years.”
At Kingsford Community Secondary School in East London, where Ngumoha first drew attention, he is fondly remembered. He even surprised classmates by attending their prom two years after leaving for Chelsea’s education programme. “That’s just who he is – humble, grounded,” says teacher William Brobby.
From district trials in Newham, where his dribbling and free-kick skills stood out, to excelling against older players in youth tournaments, Ngumoha consistently combined natural talent with tireless work ethic. “He was always two-footed, always decisive, and always had the crowd on their feet,” recalls Bobie. Performance coach Kai Parkinson, who first saw him at seven, agrees: “I’d never seen anyone manipulate the ball like that, and at such speed. The hours with his brother kept him sharp, and now we’re seeing the results.”
Ngumoha is clear about his goals. In a 2024 interview, he stated, “I truly believe I can win the Ballon d’Or one day. I want to be remembered as one of the greatest to ever play.” Bold words for a 16-year-old, but many support him. Bobie believes England caps are inevitable, Brobby says his rise is “written in the stars,” Virgil van Dijk calls him “very special,” Wayne Rooney tipped him as the breakout star of the season, and John Terry admits losing him from Chelsea “still stings.”
Despite the hype, those who know him stress that opportunity is crucial. “His ability was always there,” says Parkinson. “He just needed his chance. And now that he’s got it, I’m sure he’ll take every single one.”
