Rio Ngumoha: Nigeria to keep an eye on Liverpool's youngest-ever goalscorer

At just 16, Rio Chima Ngumoha has stormed into the spotlight in the Premier League with a record-breaking goal for Liverpool.

Thanks to his Nigerian heritage, the teenager’s rise is already sparking excitement about a possible future in the green and white of the Super Eagles.

Liverpool fans are buzzing about Rio Chima Ngumoha, the 16-year-old wonderkid who just became the club’s youngest-ever goalscorer.

His stunning winner against Newcastle etched his name into history, and even more impressively, he is only the second 16-year-old in Premier League history to score a winning goal, joining Wayne Rooney on that exclusive list, just a day older than Rooney was back in 2002.

Ngumoha’s rise has been rapid. Since joining from Chelsea in 2024, his dazzling feet, confidence and eye for goal have lit up Liverpool.

He already made his professional debut in January 2025, starting in a 4-0 FA Cup win over Accrington Stanley, where he became the youngest player to feature in the competition and the youngest to ever start a first-team game for Liverpool.

That early glimpse of his talent has now translated to the Premier League stage, where his goal confirmed him as one of Europe’s brightest teenagers.

Beyond his Anfield exploits, Nigeria’s Super Eagles have every reason to pay close attention to the teenager.

Ngumoha was born to Nigerian parents, meaning he’s eligible to represent the Super Eagles. For a nation already blessed with attacking flair, the idea of adding Liverpool’s latest sensation to the mix is an exciting prospect.

Ngumoha has followed in the footsteps of Nigerian-born talents who’ve featured at Liverpool, including Ovie Ejaria, Victor Moses, Taiwo Awoniyi, and Curtis Jones.

While not all chose to play for Nigeria, fans will be hoping this record-breaking forward embraces his roots and strengthens the national team for the future.