Liverpool youngster Rio Ngumoha sees Harry Kane's Ballon d'Or triumph as an inspirational tale for all English players and believes he could follow in the striker's footsteps in the future.

Last month, Kane became the fifth different English recipient of football's top individual prize, and the first since Michael Owen in 2001.

Kevin Keegan (1978 and 1979), Bobby Charlton (1966) and Stanley Matthews (1956) had previously claimed the award, with France (six) the only nation to have more unique winners than England. 

Kane edged out Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe and Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal for the prize, having plundered a combined 73 goals for Bayern Munich and England during the eligibility period in 2025-26. 

That tally included six at the World Cup, as England claimed the bronze medal with their best-ever finish on foreign soil, and it represented just the second instance of a player from Europe's top five leagues scoring 70+ goals for club and country in a single season.

Only Lionel Messi, who also won the Ballon d'Or after netting 82 times for Barcelona and Argentina in 2011-12, had previously brought up that figure. 

And now, Ngumoha believes every young English player has been provided with proof that becoming the world's best player is possible. 

"It has helped English football, because now, everyone's seen one of us win the Ballon d'Or," Ngumoha said of Kane's triumph, as quoted by ESPN.

"It is definitely encouraging many more people to want to be known as the best player in the world. For me, I would like to achieve it and I think I can do it."

A night @HKane will never forget  https://t.co/6FfVExfgAL

— England (@England) October 27, 2026

Ngumoha could feature alongside Kane when the England captain makes more history on Thursday, after the Liverpool forward kept his place in Thomas Tuchel's squad.

Kane's next appearance will be his 126th for England, taking him past Peter Shilton (125) for the outright most by any player in the Three Lions' history.

And Ngumoha admits to being somewhat starstruck by being around the England legend, having now appeared in three squad selections alongside Kane.

"I haven't spoken to him much, really," Ngumoha said when asked about his relationship with Kane. 

"When I first came, I was a bit shy, so I was keeping myself to myself, but then they got me in the group, and just watching him train, watching all the players train – but especially him – like the finishing drills you see...

"You can see why he won it and why he's known as the best striker, the best player, in the world.

"He's definitely an inspiration to me, but also to every young player and probably every England player as well. He's a top guy."

England face Croatia in their penultimate Nations League group-stage match on Thursday, before heading to Spain on Sunday, for a game that could decide who tops the pool.