Against Italy, the 20-year-old played for a 10th place on the NRK exchange. The family followed as usual from the stands – and they also got to experience the success up close.

– I think it’s really sick. It’s unusual that people talk so much about Antonio, he’s just my brother, after all. It all happened so fast, says little sister Keisha Nusa.

– This time it was extra big. It’s been many years since Norway last beat Italy, and that probably makes it even bigger for Norwegians. If you don’t know who Antonio Nusa is now, then you’re not really keeping up, says mother Kristin Hedelund Nordby.

NRK has been able to visit Langhus outside Oslo, the place where Antonio Nusa grew up. In a glass cabinet in the living room are several awards and the young football star’s very first football boots.

– He probably got them when he was around two years old, and they were well used. A good investment, says Nordby with a smile.

THE BEGINNING: Antonio Nusa’s first football boots were also used as decorations at his confirmation.

Listen to the World Cup qualifying match between Estonia and Norway on NRK Sport on Monday at 8:45 PM.

Listen to the World Cup qualifying match between Estonia and Norway on NRK Sport on Monday at 8:45 PM.

– Hard and brutal

His father Joe Nusa also played football, at Follo in the 2nd division. But his son didn’t start playing organised football until he was six years old, and also played handball for several years, but no one in the family was surprised that he chose football.

– He has always been easy to deal with, praises his mother.

He went to Stabæk when he was 13 years old and Nusa had barely turned 16 when he made his elite series debut. Memories from that time are collected in a picture book.

– They were really good at welcoming him, so it was a very nice transition. He still has contact with several of the boys there, says the mother, showing pictures.

– When did you realize there was something special here?

– When did you realize there was something special here?

– I don’t think I thought about it before in Stabæk. It’s a bit late. I’m a bit of a live-in type. I know he’s good, but there were a lot of good guys on the team. But then you hear people talking about him, and then I thought it’s something – and that it could be something big, says Nordby.

– I don’t think I thought about it before in Stabæk. It’s a bit late. I’m a bit of a live-in type. I know he’s good, but there were a lot of good players on the team. But then you hear people talking about him, and then I thought it’s something – and that it could be something big, says Nordby.– I don’t think I thought about it before in Stabæk. It’s a bit late. I’m a bit of a live-in type. I know he’s good, but there were a lot of good players on the team. But then you hear people talking about him, and then I thought it’s something – and that it could be something big, says Nordby.

PROUD FAMILY: Antonio Nusa, his sisters Ellie and Keisha, with mom Kristin Hedelund Nordby at home in Langhus.

MEMORIES: Sisters Ellie and Keisha look at old photos of their brother Antonio Nusa with their mother Kristin Hedelund Nordby at home in Langhus.

SUPPORTERS: The family is Nusa’s biggest fans.

Nusa was still only 16 when he turned professional in Belgium, at Club Brugge. His mother admits that it was a bit difficult at first – probably for everyone involved.

– The first year was hard and brutal. I called him quite a lot, probably daily, she admits.

– I’ve lost his youth. I don’t know what he would have been like as a “normal” 17-year-old. Say he had lived at home as a 17-year-old – then I don’t know if he would have flown around to parties. I doubt it, and I don’t think he has it in his personality, but you never know. He’s been a very cool guy, says Nordby with a smile.

Do the sisters have tattoos

Nusa has on several occasions both thanked and talked about how important his family is to him. He has his little sisters’ names tattooed above his knees.

– I think it was really strange when he moved. Antonio has a lot of energy, so it was quieter here. It was tough, says Keisha, 16.

– He is a very good big brother, is protective and takes great care, she adds while Ellie (10) nods next to him.

THE FAMILY WITH THEM: The names of the little sisters Ellie and Keisha are tattooed on Nusa.

A lot has happened in the football player’s career in the last four years.

In the Belgian Club Brugge he set several records, including becoming the second youngest goalscorer of all time in the Champions League. He received his first international cap in 2023, and already in his debut he scored. The following year he went to RB Leipzig.

Neymar’s suit at Langhus

But one of the greatest experiences on the football field came just a few weeks ago, when Leipzig faced Santos with football star Neymar in a friendly match in Brazil.

– It was very, very fun. He is my football idol. Being able to play against him, it may not be certain that he will play for that long, was very special, Nusa told NTB.

STARS: Antonio Nusa shared a photo of himself with Brazilian star Neymar on Instagram.

After the match, the two exchanged jerseys. It was of course taken home, and when NRK asks the mother, it turns out that Neymar’s jersey is at Langhus.

– There it is. But I won’t touch it too much, because I know he won’t want to. It will probably be framed, says Kristin Hedelund Nordby, daring to show the suit carefully.

SHOWING: Nusa’s mother Kristin is currently taking good care of the Neymar jersey her son secured.

The mother says that Nusa was 11 years old when she took him to Barcelona to see the great hero in action. The playing style and technique were what fascinated him the most.

– My dream for Antonio was that he would meet Neymar before he retires, and you don’t have many chances to do that. It was very big, admits Nordby.

“My dream for Antonio was that he would meet Neymar before he retires, and you don’t have many chances to do that. It was very big,” Nordby admits.”My dream for Antonio was that he would meet Neymar before he retires, and you don’t have many chances to do that. It was very big,” Nordby admits.

– He said I had played a good game. It was fun to hear from him. It was just small talk, but I won’t forget it, somehow, Nusa said about the star meeting.

“He said I had played a good game. It was fun to hear from him. It was just small talk, but I won’t forget it, somehow,” Nusa herself said about the star meeting.”He said I had played a good game. It was fun to hear from him. It was just small talk, but I won’t forget it, somehow,” Nusa herself said about the star meeting.

– Peculiar humor

After the victory against Italy, Norway has taken a big step towards the World Cup next year. Tonight, Estonia awaits on the away field. The family will of course be watching.

– How has he changed from the age of 16 to 20?

– How has he changed from the age of 16 to 20?

– He has become very independent. He has been good at taking care of himself. I don’t have to worry about anything, and I know he will ask for help if he needs it. It has done a lot for him to be thrown into it. You just have to become independent, says Nordby.

He has become very independent. He has been good at taking care of himself. I don’t have to worry about anything, and I know he will ask for help if he needs it. It has done a lot for him to be thrown into it. You just have to become independent, says Nordby.He has become very independent. He has been good at taking care of himself. I don’t have to worry about anything, and I know he will ask for help if he needs it. It has done a lot for him to be thrown into it. You just have to become independent, says Nordby.

BALL PROFESSOR: There is no shortage of footballs in Nusa’s family house in Langhus.

MEMORIES: A picture book from Nusa’s time in Stabæk.

National team manager Ståle Solbakken points out the same thing. Nusa has become both more “recognized” in the playing group, and more mature.

National team manager Ståle Solbakken points out the same thing. Nusa has both become moreNational team manager Ståle Solbakken points out the same thing. Nusa has both become more

– He is very quiet, calm and modest, but with a nice charisma and self-confidence. He is mature for his age. I think maybe some of what he has been through already with injuries and club changes, with a new country, culture and language, has helped him mentally, praised Solbakken at the press conference before the meeting with Estonia.

L FOR LANGHUS: Antonio Nusa with a homely celebration against Slovenia last year.

But mother Kristin also sees other sides to her son.

– He is very silly and says a lot of strange things. He has a lot of humor, but not many people get to see his innermost side. He has a bit of a unique humor, Nordby reveals.

– He is very silly and says a lot of strange things. He has a lot of humor, but not many people get to see his innermost side. He has a bit of a unique humor, Nordby reveals.– He is very silly and says a lot of strange things. He has a lot of humor, but not many people get to see his innermost side. He has a bit of a unique humor, Nordby reveals.