Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha has set his sights on following Harry Kane by winning the Ballon d'Or, and insists his move to the Reds was a "no-brainer" that has already proved the right choice.
The 18-year-old is with the England squad preparing for Thursday's UEFA Nations League home clash with Croatia at Wembley, after an encouraging start to the season at club level.
Kane's Ballon d'Or Impact
Kane last week became only the fifth Englishman to win the Ballon d'Or, thanks to his performances for England at the World Cup and for Bayern Munich. The English top flight has produced the winner just three times in the last 58 years, with Michael Owen the only Englishman to claim the award with a domestic club in that period when he won with Liverpool in 2001.
During the same timeframe, Barcelona have provided the winner on 11 occasions, ahead of Real Madrid (nine), AC Milan (eight), Juventus (seven) and Bayern Munich (six).
Ngumoha's Ambition
Ngumoha, who is yet to agree a new contract as he approaches the final 18 months of his current deal, reiterated his dream of being named the best player in the world.
"Yeah, 100%," he said. "Harry Kane winning the Ballon d'Or is definitely a big, big thing, being known as the best player in the world.
"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 wanting to definitely be known as the best player in the world. For me, I would like to achieve it and I think I can do it."
He added: "I feel like if you don't visualise anything or you don't dream big enough, then you might not ever achieve it. So I think just having the belief and the force in your mind thinking, one day I can play for England.
"I think you definitely need to have that so you can drive to achieve it. So yeah, I've definitely always believed in it.
"My brother (James) has been a massive part of my journey. He saw the talent in me from when I was like five years old, which is crazy to say.
"But yeah, he's my agent as well now. He just wants the best for me, and he's really supportive.
"My brother is tough, sometimes. I definitely needed that when I was younger. My mum has done a lot for me. The hardest thing for her has been moving up to Liverpool. She left her job to come move up. She does everything for me and my brother. She's just amazing."
Pathway to the First Team
Ngumoha had spells at West Ham United and Arsenal before joining Chelsea aged eight, but opted to sign for Liverpool in 2024 because he saw a clearer pathway to the first team. That decision is paying off with 44 Reds appearances, and he has become a firm favourite among supporters, who he describes as "the best in the world."
"I feel like I needed a new challenge," he said. "I feel like if I stayed at Chelsea - not saying that I wouldn't have got to the first team as quick, because I believe in my ability, but I feel like Liverpool just gave me a new pathway. The plan that they set for me was straightforward really.
"For me, it was a no-brainer going to Liverpool, and they just said if I prove myself, because they know how much ability I had, then they know that I would definitely be a first-team player and definitely a star for them in the making. I think going to Liverpool so far has been the right choice."
Ngumoha has won three senior caps for England. With Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka out injured, there could be a chance for him to start against Croatia, with Thomas Tuchel's side completing their group on Sunday evening in Spain.
"I'm competing with the best players in the world, so it's not going to be easy," he said about his chances of playing. "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. But obviously, it's difficult, and I just keep going really."
