Rio Ngumoha has been called into England's senior squad and has shied away from talking up his goals, eyeing up glory in the Euros on home soil in two years time
Rio Ngumoha is looking to make his mark with England
Rio Ngumoha is looking to make his mark with England
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Rio Ngumoha promises he will use his “fearless” attitude to help England become successful. Ngumoha, 18, is one of the shining lights of England’s next generation but insists he will not be overawed by stepping up to the seniors.
Liverpool winger Ngumoha shone for England in their pre World Cup training base in Florida and made it almost inevitable that Thomas Tuchel would promote him ahead of Euro 2028. Ngumoha says he will bring his qualities to England duty and believes he can be successful for club and country.
Teenager Ngumoha said: “I'd say I'm fearless. I like to take on players, whether it's one v ones, sometimes two v ones as well. But also, I want to help the team out with goals and assists because at the end of the day, it's not just about me and the team.
“It's about winning trophies and winning games. So I like to think I help the team out on and off the ball. Being fearless, but also helping the team and contributing to the team.
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“I'm a big believer in saying what you want to achieve, manifest it really, and even though it might sound crazy to another person, it can happen in life because life can just be like that, so fast. And so yeah, I did believe it would happen.
“I think everyone wants to hopefully win the Euros at home, but it all starts with these Nations League games. So this is just good preparation for hopefully greatness to come in the future.”
Ngumoha had an incredible year as he scored a dramatic winner for Liverpool at Newcastle in August 2025, made 31 senior appearances and got his senior England debut in a warm-up game with New Zealand. Even though he was not in the full World Cup squad, he had made his mark but he says he refuses to look back as he wants to keep going forward.
Ngumoha said: “I can't put it into words, especially since last year. I started with the first team properly in pre-season last season and I never really looked back. I just kept on going and going, trying to prove to myself and to everyone what I could do. I think I showed that, so far, it's been quick, but I think it's been good. I have been enjoying it.”
Rio Ngumoha made a big impression on his England debut back in the summer
Rio Ngumoha made a big impression on his England debut back in the summer(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
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Ngumoha says that it was an “amazing” moment to tell his family about the senior call-up but also insisted he is not just there to make up the numbers.
He told talkSPORT: “I told my mum, then my brother. My mum was next to my brother, so I just called them, and then they just started screaming down my phone.
“It was an amazing moment, and I just know now, I've got to come here and just show what I can do to everyone, and just make sure everyone just understands who I am, and I'm not here to not here just to be like a side party, you know.
“I want to be like a mainstay in the team, and hopefully I can stay. But there's good competition everywhere, so it's competing with the best players in the world now. So it's good.”
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