Liverpool FC News: Lionel Messi picks Rio Ngumoha as his successor

Liverpool knew they had something special in Rio Ngumoha when he was signed in 2024.

Chelsea were not best pleased that the Reds had convinced him to leave and the disagreements around the amount of compensation they're owed for his departure are still lingering on today.

Just a few training sessions into his time on Merseyside prompted the coaching staff to change things around and join the senior players. Anfield Watch understands that the tapes from such training sessions have not be released because Ngumoha embarrassed some of the defenders.

Now, the 17-year-old is a part of the first-team Liverpool squad for the season, playing in the Premier League and Champions League, while still just a teenager. His immediate and long-term future is with us, following the signing of a new professional contract and he's one of our most prized assets.

However, we didn't know the extent to which is talents have been recognised around the world.

'The future of the game'

A video is currently floating around on social media from Adidas in partnership with Lionel Messi, who is seen shuffling a number of bespoke cards in his hands with talented footballers printed on them, and at the end of the clip, we're introduced to the 'perfect ten'.

Throughout the video, the narrator says: "The perfect hand. It starts with the shuffle. It relies on a few tricks. Slight of hand. Nothing is left to chance. Every card is considered. A true maestro knows how to pick them, it's about about pairs that make players fold. The diamond play. A full spread of aces. The perfect ten. That's how you pick the future of the game."

Liverpool's very own Rio Ngumoha is one of the players that finish in the final ten, which also included Kendry Paez, Rodrigo Mora, Mika Godts, Nico Paz, Kader Meite, Andrey Santos, Brajan Gruda, Lily Yohannes and Clara Serrajordi.

Of course, given the video is an AD, you have to take it with a pinch of salt. But to know that Ngumoha is rated so highly by a player that most consider to be the greatest of all time, is quite an honour for the young Englishman. After all, a lot of his game is probably based off watching Messi.

Ngumoha and Santos are the only two players from the Premier League and the Red is the only player with an English nationality, which certainly sends out a statement in terms of the kind of talent that England will have to look forward to when he's called up in future. In the meantime, a lot of his potential future teammates will be faced with the task of stopping him while he's at Liverpool.

Whether the recognition from Messi is a sign that Ngumoha will take the mantle from Messi in future and reach similar heights to the Argentinian is yet to be seen. The all-time great is certainly not making that claim right now, but we're actively invited to have those conversations about him now.

Either way, Liverpool fans should be excited, because Messi doesn't just put his name behind players often, and his stamp of approval on Ngumoha should give the teenager a massive boost.

🔴 Shop the LFC 2025/26 adidas home range

👉🏻 Liverpool have a NEW right-back and he's the best in the world

👉🏻 Marc Guehi is COMING: Liverpool will agree deal to sign England star

👉🏻 Liverpool legend's son is now an elite centre-back