Liverpool signed a future Ballon d'Or winner | OneFootball

Richard Hughes has signed a future Ballon d'Or winner for Liverpool.

The club's new sporting director is getting a lot of praise this summer. Hughes deserves it. He's been brilliant in his recruitment bringing in Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Freddie Woodman and Armin Pecsi.

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All of them are astute signings. Although obviously, the Wirtz signing takes precedence above all. In the German, Hughes brought in a generational player, while beating Manchester City to his signature.

The same can be said of Kerkez, of course, who was also wanted by Real Madrid and Manchester City but chose Liverpool.

Much of that is down to Arne Slot and the club's performances on the pitch. However, credit must be given to Hughes as well who played a key role in negotiations and convincing these players to choose the club above all.

Hughes' best signing though may not even be Wirtz nor Kerkez. In fact, everyone is already forgetting that he brought in a generational signing beating Manchester City to his signature last summer.

Yes, that's right. Hughes' best signing may be Rio Ngumoha, who he lured away from Chelsea last summer and beat Manchester City to his signature in what may go down as an incredible transfer.

We saw why against Accrington Stanley last season when Ngumoha became the youngest ever player to start a game for Liverpool at just 16-years-old.

In that game, Ngumoha already showcased his brilliant ability. He was a joy to watch as he mesmerised his opponents and pretty much dominated the play in the first-half of that match.

Now, we've seen another glimpse of his exquisite talent against Preston North End.

Arne Slot named him in Liverpool's starting line-up alongside the likes of Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch.

Yet despite all the star power on the pitch, it was Ngumoha who shone the brightest. He completed the most dribbles on the pitch (2) in the first half and always looked comfortable receiving the ball.

What was really encouraging is that the Liverpool stars kept looking up to find him and were always playing balls into Ngumoha. Primarily, because he was the one player on the pitch making things happen.

Being able to do that as an academy player in just your second appearance with the first team is special. Being able to do that at 16-years-old is even more special.

But that's the kind of talent Liverpool have in Ngumoha. He's generational and in years to come, he could prove to be the star of Slot's team.

Already, he's showing signs that he can compete with the first team, and even earn himself a spot in the squad. But he harbours bigger ambitions.

Speaking in an interview with Inside the Academy back in October 2024, Ngumoha revealed he wanted to win the Ballon d'Or.

“I truly believe I can win the Ballon d’Or one day. I want to be regarded as one of the best players to ever play football and be a legend of the game,” he said.

Based on what he has shown so far, he's definitely proved he's got the potential to do that. There's just something unique about him, something that reminds you of the very best players - almost Lamine Yamal esque.

This is why Hughes' best signing may not have been Wirtz nor Kerkez but Ngumoha. A player who has all the potential in the world to fulfil his ambition of one day winning the Ballon d'Or. Yes, he's that special.