Club coach Alfred Schreuder conjured a white rabbit out of his hat in full title battle on Sunday. The very young Norwegian Antonio Nusa (17) finally decided the game well into injury time with his first goal for Club. But where does the youngest Bruges goalscorer ever come from? A portrait.
Club Brugge made four summer transfers on deadline day in August: Faitout Maouassa, Jack Hendry, José Izquierdo and Antonio Nusa.
Although the latter had by far the fewest credentials, he is the only one who now seems to leave a mark on Club’s Champions’ Play-offs.
Blauw-Zwart picked the very young Nusa away last summer from Stabaek, the Norwegian talent factory where the attacker had been staying since he was 13. He made his debut for the first team three years later, a good month after his 16th birthday.
Before Club caught him, he played only 11 professional matches. He hit 3 times in it. The fact that Club Brugge, despite his minimal experience, paid around 3 million for the inexperienced wing attacker says a lot about the potential they see in him.
Antonio Nusa, the new Bruges goldcrest
Antonio is a humble and nice boy. He can get very far.
Club’s scouting clearly had a lot of confidence in Nusa. And based on a number of flashes that we have already seen of him, the young Norwegian does indeed seem to have a lot of talent. On his debut with Stabaek, local Norwegian media immediately compared him to Neymar.
Nusa’s qualities are therefore comparable to those of the Brazilian: fast, dribbling skills and creative. In the entourage of the player can be heard that he is also particularly mature for a 17-year-old. For example, Nusa already lives completely on his own.
Also at his ex-club he was already believed for his mentality. “Antonio is a humble and nice boy. He has worked hard and we are convinced that he can go very far,” said Torgeir Bjarmann, his former trainer at Stabaek, of his departure.
Watch Nusa’s goal against Union again here
Youngest ever goalscorer
Nusa has been in the shelter for the past few months. He played (and decided) matches for the reserves team Club NXT. Alfred Schreuder often included him in his large selection for the first team, but he didn’t get any opportunities – except for a minute against Charleroi. So until yesterday.
The Dutch coach was already enthusiastic about Nusa in February: “He is developing great with the promises and gives us an extra option in the front”, it sounded then.
And at his first real chance, the Norwegian even immediately made history. With his goal in Union, Nusa became the youngest goalscorer ever (17 years and 21 days) for Club Brugge. That would look great on your resume.
Nusa is a new exponent of the Norwegian talent pool. Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard and Sander Berge… These are just a few export products that have surfaced in recent years.
With Antonio Nusa and also Kristian Arnstad (Anderlecht), the Belgian league seems to have two more in its possession.
Yesterday we saw Club’s rough diamond sparkle for the first time. A harbinger of what’s to come next season?
