RB Leipzig’s Norwegian star hails Neymar, eyes Copa do Brasil | OneFootball

At 20 years old, Norwegian Antonio Nusa is one of RB Leipzig’s top current prospects and a teammate of Haaland in a national team that is a candidate to be the sensation of the 2026 World Cup.

And he has never hidden his admiration for Brazilian football, especially for Neymar.

"I think it started at the 2014 World Cup. I was just watching Brazil and Neymar was so good... And I really enjoyed watching him. From then on, I became almost a fan of his playing style. I wanted to do the same dribbles," said Nusa.

The Norwegian said he tries to follow Neymar at Santos, watching the highlights of the matches. And he admitted he was happy that Peixe managed to avoid relegation.

But while the idol’s presence at the World Cup is quite uncertain, Nusa is a practically guaranteed name in Norway’s attack, alongside Haaland. Expectations for the World Cup are high.

"He (Haaland) raises my level even more. He’s perhaps the best striker in the world and so you have to do something to serve him. We play very well with each other. I think my skills combined with his are a good fit," he stated.

📸 ALBERTO PIZZOLI - AFP or licensors

Despite the powerful attacking duo and a perfect qualifying campaign with eight wins in eight games (including two against Italy), Nusa considers Norway an underdog at the World Cup.

"We didn’t get the easiest group (France, Senegal, and Bolivia/Suriname/Iraq). I think we’re coming in as underdogs, you know. Senegal and France are two good, established teams. And it’s our first World Cup in many years now. So I don’t think they want to play against us either," he reflected.

If a match against Brazil happens at the World Cup, the Seleção will have to break an unbelievable taboo. Norway is one of the rare teams that Brazil has never beaten. There have been four matches, with two Norwegian wins and two draws.

Will Brazil break the taboo? Or is it better to avoid Nusa and Haaland’s Norway?

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

📸 RONNY HARTMANN - AFP or licensors