Last Updated on September 17, 2026 by Miguel Manjate
Emil Forsberg comes from one of Sweden’s best-known football families. The Swedish attacking midfielder followed his father and grandfather into professional football before building a successful career with Malmö FF, RB Leipzig, the New York Red Bulls and the Sweden national team.
Away from football, Forsberg is the father of two daughters. He was previously married to former footballer Shanga Hussain and is now in a relationship with former Swedish athlete Fanny Ernestam. Here is what is publicly known about Emil Forsberg’s girlfriend, children, parents and siblings.
Who is Emil Forsberg’s girlfriend?
As of now, Emil Forsberg is in a relationship with Fanny Ernestam. Ernestam is a former Swedish triple jumper who competed nationally and won a Swedish indoor youth title during her athletics career. She has also worked as a model and maintained a relatively private public profile.
Reports linking Forsberg and Ernestam first emerged in 2024. The footballer subsequently began sharing photographs of them together on social media, publicly confirming the relationship. In September 2025, Forsberg also spoke to Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet about Ernestam, saying that they were comfortable together and enjoying life in New York.
Forsberg’s relationship with Ernestam began after the breakdown of his long marriage to Shanga Forsberg. Because his separation attracted considerable media attention, some older profiles still incorrectly identify Shanga as his current wife.
Who is Emil Forsberg’s former wife, Shanga Forsberg?
Emil Forsberg was previously married to Shanga Hussain Forsberg, a former footballer who represented clubs in Sweden before later playing for RB Leipzig’s women’s team.
Emil and Shanga reportedly met while growing up in Sundsvall. They were together for approximately 19 years and married in July 2016. Shanga accompanied Forsberg during an important period of his career in Germany, where he became one of RB Leipzig’s most influential players.
The couple separated in 2024 following Forsberg’s move to the New York Red Bulls. Shanga publicly announced that she had initiated divorce proceedings. Forsberg later disputed some of the accusations made about him during the separation but emphasized that matters involving their children should remain private.
How many children does Emil Forsberg have?
Emil Forsberg has two children, both daughters, from his marriage to Shanga Forsberg. Their names have been reported as Florence and Siena.
Florence, their eldest daughter, was born in August 2018. Forsberg celebrated her arrival publicly and described his wife and newborn daughter as the most important people in his life. The couple later welcomed their second daughter, Siena.
Although the children have occasionally appeared in family photographs, Emil and Shanga generally avoid releasing extensive personal information about them. This approach helps protect the girls’ privacy, particularly following their parents’ highly publicized separation.
Who are Emil Forsberg’s parents?
Emil Forsberg’s father is Leif Forsberg, while the identity of his mother has not been widely documented by reliable public sources.
His mother reportedly worked as a hairdresser and played an important role in creating a stable childhood for Emil in Sundsvall. However, she has remained outside the public spotlight, and her name should not be stated as fact without confirmation from a dependable source.
Forsberg has frequently discussed the importance of his parents and the support they provided during his early football career. He was not immediately considered an outstanding prospect, but his family encouraged him while he developed through the GIF Sundsvall system.
Emil Forsberg’s father, Leif Forsberg
Leif Forsberg is a former Swedish professional footballer who played as a forward. He is particularly associated with GIF Sundsvall, where he spent most of his career and became one of the club’s most recognizable players.
Leif made more than 400 senior appearances and scored over 140 career goals. He also represented IFK Göteborg and played for Sweden’s Olympic team. His experience gave Emil valuable guidance about the demands and pressures of professional football.
However, Leif did not simply hand his son a football career. He has explained in interviews that Emil experienced setbacks and was sometimes overlooked during his youth. Those challenges helped the future Sweden international develop resilience and a strong work ethic.
Emil Forsberg’s grandfather continued the football tradition
Football in the Forsberg family extends back another generation. Emil’s paternal grandfather, Lennart Forsberg, was also a professional player.
Lennart represented GIF Sundsvall and Djurgårdens IF as a left winger. He was known by the nickname “Foppa,” while Leif later became known as “Lill-Foppa.” Emil subsequently received the nickname “Mini-Foppa,” reflecting his position as the third generation of the family to represent GIF Sundsvall.
Emil, Leif and Lennart all made their senior GIF Sundsvall debuts at the age of 17, creating a remarkable connection between three generations of the Forsberg family.
Does Emil Forsberg have any siblings?
There is currently no reliable public information confirming whether Emil Forsberg has any brothers or sisters. Major interviews and established football profiles focus primarily on his father, Leif, and grandfather, Lennart.
Some celebrity websites claim to provide information about Forsberg’s siblings, but those claims are generally unsupported. Unless Forsberg or a trustworthy Swedish publication confirms the information, it is more accurate to say that his sibling status has not been publicly established.
How family influenced Emil Forsberg’s career
Growing up in a family with a strong football tradition undoubtedly shaped Forsberg’s early ambitions. Nevertheless, he had to establish his own identity rather than rely exclusively on his family name.
After developing at GIF Sundsvall, Forsberg joined Malmö FF and won domestic trophies before moving to RB Leipzig in 2015. He became a central figure in Leipzig’s rise, helping the club compete in the Bundesliga and UEFA Champions League while winning two German Cups and the German Super Cup.
His career made him the most internationally recognized member of the Forsberg football dynasty, but he has continued to acknowledge the influence of his family and his upbringing in Sundsvall.
Frequently asked questions about Emil Forsberg’s family
Who is Emil Forsberg’s girlfriend?
Emil Forsberg’s girlfriend is Fanny Ernestam, a former Swedish triple jumper and model. Their relationship became public after Forsberg separated from his former wife, Shanga.
Is Emil Forsberg still married to Shanga Forsberg?
No. Emil and Shanga separated in 2024 after approximately 19 years together and nearly eight years of marriage. Shanga announced that she had filed for divorce.
How many children does Emil Forsberg have?
Forsberg has two daughters, Florence and Siena, with his former wife, Shanga Forsberg.
Who is Emil Forsberg’s father?
His father is Leif Forsberg, a former professional forward who spent most of his career playing for GIF Sundsvall.
Who is Emil Forsberg’s mother?
Forsberg’s mother reportedly worked as a hairdresser, but her name and other personal details have not been reliably disclosed in major public sources.
Does Emil Forsberg have siblings?
No dependable public source has confirmed whether Emil Forsberg has brothers or sisters. He has kept that part of his family background private.
Was Emil Forsberg’s grandfather a footballer?
Yes. His grandfather, Lennart Forsberg, played professionally for GIF Sundsvall and Djurgårdens IF. Emil represents the third generation of the Forsberg family to play senior football for GIF Sundsvall.
Miguel Manjate is a football journalist and editor covering the Premier League, European competitions, and transfer news, with a strong focus on match analysis and data-driven reporting.
