Rafael Leao, Liverpool target Antonio Nusa and the World Cup are now part of the same conversation after the Portugal winger made a bold prediction about the RB Leipzig forward.
Liverpool’s search for a long-term Mohamed Salah replacement has already taken them to the doorstep of some of Europe’s most exciting young wingers, and Nusa is another name to draw attention from Anfield.
His teammate Yan Diomande has looked higher on FSG’s list, but that route is not simple. Diomande has talked up staying at Leipzig, and Nusa remains a very promising alternative if Liverpool decide to move for a different profile in August.
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Rafael Leao backs Liverpool target Antonio Nusa to announce himself at the World Cup
Nusa is still only 21, but he has already built a strong reputation as one of Norway’s most exciting young attackers. He joined Leipzig from Club Brugge in 2024 and has continued his development in Germany, mainly from the left wing.
His latest Bundesliga season was not explosive in pure numbers, with four goals and three assists, but there was still enough to show his ceiling. His pace, dribbling and ability to carry the ball in transition make him an interesting fit for a Liverpool side that may need younger legs in wide areas.
Diomande has always looked like the preferred option. He is younger, more explosive and has produced the kind of breakthrough season that forces elite clubs to take notice.
But this wouldn’t be a weak fallback. Nusa has been linked with a Liverpool move before, and his profile still makes sense as part of a wider attacking rebuild.
Leao has also been linked with Liverpool plenty of times in recent seasons, and he was asked a series of World Cup questions by Sport TV Portugal. He backed Portugal to beat Brazil in the final, but when asked for the surprise player of the tournament, he went for Nusa.
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That is a major compliment from one of Europe’s most dangerous wingers. It also suggests Leao believes the best of Nusa has not been seen yet.
Norway should give him a strong platform. They are back at the World Cup for the first time in 28 years, with Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard leading a side that dominated qualifying.
If Nusa shines around that level of talent, Liverpool may not need much more convincing. A big tournament could quickly turn him from interesting alternative into a serious August target.
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