Like many who watched Rio Ngumoha from a young age, Saul Isaksson-Hurst was convinced early on. “I used to tell his brother, ‘He’ll win the Ballon d’Or one day,’” says the former Chelsea youth coach. “And I still believe it. Rio has the potential to become one of the world’s best.”
Few are more qualified to make such a statement.
With over a decade of experience at academies like Chelsea, Arsenal, and Spurs, Isaksson-Hurst has worked with countless young prospects. In his first season at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground, he coached an outstanding group that included Jamal Musiala, Levi Colwill, and Tino Livramento. Tottenham’s Mikey Moore also left a strong impression under his guidance.
Yet none, he insists, matched Ngumoha. “He was a standout,” recalls Isaksson-Hurst, who first coached the winger at under-nine level back in 2016. “His dribbling and ability to beat players with ease was unmatched. I remember a tournament in France—we got knocked out in the group stage, but Rio still won Player of the Tournament. He’s easily the best player I’ve ever coached.”
Fast forward nearly ten years, and the world saw a glimpse of that potential when Ngumoha scored a dramatic 110th-minute winner on his Premier League debut, becoming the youngest goalscorer in Liverpool’s 133-year history.
In the St. James’s Park dressing room after the match, coach Arne Slot overheard a teammate say they’d have taken a touch before finishing. But for Rio, those countless hours training with his brother James on local Powerleague pitches had prepared him for moments exactly like this.
Coaches like Isaksson-Hurst and Slot helped shape his tactical and technical development, but his journey was also influenced by mentors far from the Premier League spotlight.
At Kingsford Community School in Newham, East London, Rio is still remembered fondly. Not long after moving to Liverpool from Chelsea, he returned to surprise old classmates at their prom—despite having left two years earlier to join Chelsea’s education program.
“That sort of thing doesn’t usually happen,” said William Brobby, his former teacher and deputy head of year. “He took photos with everyone. He’s always been grounded and humble.”
Brobby first saw Ngumoha during a trial for Newham’s district team, which he coached. “You could tell immediately,” he recalls. “No one could take the ball off him. He was sharp, tricky, fast, and had a great shot. I remember him scoring a hat-trick of free-kicks in one match. His dead-ball skills were unreal.”
Because of his talent, Rio frequently played against older players at school and at Chelsea’s development centre, where coach Terry Bobie also noticed something special early on.
“Even at six, he stood out,” Bobie says. “Playing against older kids never phased him. He was electric—two-footed, a constant threat. He’s the kind of player that makes fans rise to their feet the moment he touches the ball.”
Bobie reunited with Rio in 2021 when Newham’s team won the London Youth Games. “He scored some stunning goals,” he remembers. “If only there’d been cameras—it would have gone viral. He was half the size of other players, but doing things that others could only dream of.”
“There aren’t many words that do him justice,” he adds. “But ‘special’ comes close.”
Sir Alex Ferguson famously said that hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. But those who knew Rio growing up insist he had both. And most importantly, he worked relentlessly.
Kai Parkinson, a performance coach who worked with Rio during his time at West Ham Foundation, remembers coaching a seven-year-old Ngumoha. “He was special,” Parkinson says. “I’ve seen top young talents, but Rio was different—his speed, his ball control, it all came from hours of training with his brother James.”
James’s influence is a recurring theme. Bobie recalls how the pair would train for hours at Powerleague in Newham. “I’d coach from 4 to 8 p.m., and they’d be there the whole time. James pushed him constantly. They’d argue sometimes, but it always came from a place of love and high standards. That grind went on for years.”
Isaksson-Hurst agrees: “A lot of credit goes to his brother. He never gave anything less than 100 percent.”
Brobby also acknowledged the family’s influence: “His brother and his mum have been incredibly supportive. He’s had a strong circle around him.”
But beyond talent and work ethic, success at the top level also requires unshakeable self-belief—something Rio has in abundance.
“I believe I can win the Ballon d’Or one day,” he said in a 2024 interview. “I want to be one of the greatest to ever play.”
It’s a bold ambition, but many share his confidence.
“He’ll play for England—no doubt,” says Bobie. “He’s only 16 and already in Liverpool’s first team. If he stays focused, the Ballon d’Or isn’t out of reach.”
Brobby echoes the sentiment: “He’s definitely got the quality to win it. He just needs to stay grounded, earn his place at Liverpool, and deliver consistent performances.”
Ngumoha has already begun to do just that. With two goals and two assists in pre-season, Virgil van Dijk called him “very special.” Earlier this month, Wayne Rooney picked him as his breakout star for the season. Meanwhile, former Chelsea captain John Terry remains disappointed about losing him. “There’s always one you regret letting go—and he was the one.”
Just before his Liverpool debut, Parkinson shared a final reflection: “I always knew Rio would break through early. The talent was obvious. But opportunity is everything. And when that moment comes, it’s about taking it.”
Rio Ngumoha did just that—and the football world is beginning to take notice.
Leave a Reply