Morten Thorsbymidfielder of Genoainterviewed by TVPlayretraced the stages that led him to become a professional footballer: “I didn’t think it was possible, I thought of going to America to study and play. I believed I could do well, in the end at 17 years old this Dutch team noticed me in a tournament in Spain and two weeks later I was in Holland alone.”
What is the reason for the improvement in Norwegian football?
“Twenty years ago in Norway they started using synthetic grass and perhaps this also helped. In Norway we are strong in sports.”
How important was Ranieri for you?
“I left Holland and came here. Ranieri really understood me and I immediately created a feeling, he is an extraordinary man, a wonderful person.”
What do you think of Haaland?
“He’s a very humble boy, he’s natural, he had an incredible season and he’s still the top player in the Premier League. I personally like him a lot, he has incredible qualities.”
What was your experience at Union Berlin?
“We had an incredible season, personally I had some physical problems, it was difficult for me to be in such a big city.”
What differences are there between Serie A and the Bundesliga?
“Obviously there is a difference in culture, it’s nice to see how the culture of the country reflects the culture of football, I like the warmth of the fans here in Italy more.”
Has he become a bit Italian?
“I feel at home, I have many human relationships with people, they say that the Genoese are closed, but for me it’s not like that, if you want to see closed people come to Norway”.
What was the decision to return to Liguria with the Genoa shirt due to?
“I wasn’t well in Berlin, I had the chance to return here to Genoa and I feel great here and for me it’s fundamental for my health.”
What is the secret of this Genoa?
“We have a special group, we get along really well, we all love each other, the coach has done an incredible job and is a really good person. Gilardino is in a growth phase, he lives in Pegli, he is ambitious, he wants to learn and he is very humble, Genoa gives everything for this.”
Why number 2?
“I’m an environmentalist, I saw how the world was changing, I want to give a message, I’m an environmentalist, nature survives, we don’t, the 2 represents the Paris Agreement of 2015, football is a global phenomenon and can make a difference.”
What project are you doing with the company?
“We are working to convey environmental messages to the fans and the city of Genoa and we are trying to improve here at the sports field too.”
The habits you have changed for the environment?
“I’m not perfect, I’ve changed my diet, my means of transport, if I can I go on foot or by bicycle, I also go to clean the beaches.”
Who did you bond with the most?
“Obviously we have the Scandinavian group, but here we are all together. With Albert we have to speak English, they too get along very well here in Genoa.”
What does it mean to wear this shirt?
“You feel it when you enter the stadium, it’s truly beautiful, the fans transmit energy to you, our stands are our twelfth man on the pitch.”
What could football help with?
“Football is already doing a lot on many social dynamics such as racism and violence against women, it is the only social phenomenon that unites the whole world. Football can save the world, there is nothing like this sport.”
