Leipzig's Nusa looking to star

Stats correct as of 12 October 2025

Antonio Nusa
Age: 20 (born 17 April, 2005)
Club: RB Leipzig
Position: Left winger
Nationality: Norway (17 caps/5 goals)

Key stats

Nusa has become a key part of a thrilling Norway side destined for the 2026 World Cup alongside Martin Ødegaard and Haaland while he continues to settle in at the Red Bull Arena. 

Born and raised in Langhus just outside Oslo, a three-year spell at Stabæk in his native country already got people talking. One of them was former Romania international and a member of Inter Milan's 2009/10 treble-winning side, Cristian Chivu, who watched Nusa in a Stabæk youth game.

Chivu predicted the youngster would have a bright future, and he was right, because after just a handful of first-team appearances, Nusa's 2021 move to Club Brugge kickstarted everything.

Becoming the second-youngest player to score in the UEFA Champions League in a 4-0 away win over Porto on his competition debut in September 2022 certainly helped Nusa's progression. He ended the campaign with 34 first-team appearances, enough to convince former Cologne boss and Norway head coach Ståle Solbakken to give him his senior international debut at the start of the following season.

RB Leipzig then came calling in the summer of 2024 to offer the talent the next step in his development. Nusa proved eager to seize the opportunity, netting a winning goal from the substitute's bench on his Bundesliga debut against Bochum.

The flying Norwegian netted a total of three goals and three assists in his debut Bundesliga season despite a knee injury ruling him out for over two months in the spring. He has dazzled in the international game with a goal and assist in a 3-0 win over Italy and two assists in a 5-0 victory against Israel as Norway enjoyed a sensational 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

Watch: Nusa's debut Bundesliga goal in August 2024

Plays a bit like: Neymar

"I like to create chaos,” Nusa told Norwegian media in April 2021. “Neymar is my role model because he creates chaos on the pitch with his dribbling, just like me. He is one of the best in the world.”

His pace down the left flank would be enough for most defenders to contend with, but he also has magnetic close control, and can go either way round his marker. "I can see similarities to Neymar in Nusa's movements and the way he uses the ball,” former Stabaek team-mate, Mats Solheim, told GOAL. “There is still a small gap between them, but he can get there.”

Watch: Nusa joins Leipzig

Did you know?

Nusa was born in Norway to a Nigerian father and Norwegian mother. His surname hails from Nigeria's Benin Kingdom and means, "What God says will come to pass."

What they're saying

"When you look back to when they were both 14-15 years old, I feel Antonio was the greater talent." - Gaute Larsen, who coached both Haaland and Nusa as kids

"He brings colour to a team and can be very good, but he's barely 18 and needs time. Soon, you'll be comparing him to Haaland, which shouldn't be the case." - Brugge boss Ronny Deila in March 2024

"Antonio fits perfectly with RB Leipzig's DNA. He is young, has potential for development, is very ambitious and willing to learn. This makes him one of the best players of his generation in Europe, without a doubt." - Marcel Schäfer, Leipzig managing director for sport, in August 2024