Norwegian international playmaker Antonio Nusa reveals he faced bullying at Club Brugge

Just over a month before Norway joins their first World Cup this millennium, Antonio Nusa has released a book called "Alt starter med en drøm" ("Everything starts with a dream")

In the book, the 21 year old RB Leipzig playmaker, who is expected to play a key role for Norway in the World Cup, explains that the move from Stabaek to Club Brugge was anything but easy. He describes jealousy from fellow players and a harsh changing room environment:

"I noticed the atmosphere. Quiet moments. Whispered comments. Looks from people who spoke in ways I could not follow. Picture sitting by yourself in the changing room while everyone watches you. A couple of the players who should be on your side are discussing you without including you."

"I was still growing there, and dealing with demands and tension was fairly new to me. This made me sensitive to events around me, which is not ideal", Nusa tells NRK.no.

He notes how hard it was to arrive somewhere where Flemish or French was the main language and no other Norwegians were present.

"I was very young, and arrived at a setting where I did not yet feel at ease. This showed in my performances on the field. That is when the issues began, and they formed a problematic loop."

"When my football was good, everything was okay. But when I struggled on the pitch and performed poorly, matters grew worse. That became the initial test. I could not express my true style. Consequently the others on the squad reacted badly. They were not happy, and they resented my presence taking a spot."

"Meanwhile I was three years younger than the rest of that group, so they thought, 'A 16 year old is taking our place and he is not even playing well.' I allowed it to affect me. He adds that such whispered remarks are common among youngsters.

"Yet it felt tough then, and I faced it by myself. I had no one to confide in, and that only made things tougher.

The Leipzig player notes the situation grew so hard that he once refused to represent the youth national teams. In the book he admits he simply wished to return home:

"I even quarrelled with the Norwegian Football Association as I refused to attend the Under 17 national team camp; I wanted only to stay home. Consider a young player not wishing to join the national team. But my belief in myself and my drive were at risk."

Since that period Nusa has moved forward. Operating mainly as a lively winger and creator, he became a vital member of RB Leipzig this season, adding useful cover and explosive speed as the side ended third in the Bundesliga. He achieved over 2,000 minutes and featured in 31 Bundesliga matches this season, delivering key goals and assists both from the start and from the bench.