Shekh Morsalin does not talk like a footballer dazzled by early fame. He talks like a player who already understands the weight of a shirt, the noise around it and the silence required inside his own head.
The Bangladesh international sat down with Daily Times of Bangladesh to reflect on his journey, the pressure of being labelled a star and the quiet confidence now flowing through the national side. This was not hype. This was clarity.
Bangladesh football sits at an interesting crossroads. Results improve, attention grows and belief finally replaces hope. Morsalin stands right in the middle of that shift.
Morsalin, today everyone knows you as a footballer. Where did this journey really begin?
My sports journey started like many others. It started at BKSP.
When you began playing at BKSP, did you imagine you would represent Bangladesh at national level?
I had confidence that I could do it. But I did not know if it would happen this early.
People call you the “Star Boy”. How does that tag feel? Does it bring pressure?
At the beginning, I felt some pressure. But now it feels normal, Alhamdulillah.
Do you enjoy it now?
Yes, I enjoy it now. I think people love me, so I want to always play well and do good for them.
You faced some tough moments in your career. How hard was it to stay mentally strong and return with performances?
When I step on the pitch, I forget everything outside. I focus only on my football. Nothing else can impact me.
That suggests strong mental strength. Since Hamza Choudhury joined the squad, we have seen big improvements. What changed beyond performances?
The whole environment changed. People now watch football more. Journalists follow us closely. Discipline improved. Everything changed. For that, I want to specially thank BFF.
You scored in the win against India. The move started from your foot. What was the mindset before that match, and how did the dressing room feel?
Alhamdulillah for everything. Playing India always carries something extra for us Bangladeshis. There is rivalry. I played against India before, and on paper they look stronger. But you can see now that we perform much better. Mentally, we believe we must win. Even they respect and fear our recent performances.
How did you feel after scoring?
Alhamdulillah, we won the match. If I scored and we drew or lost, it would not feel the same. The win made it special.
So the team’s victory matters more than your goal?
Obviously, the team matters the most. It doesn’t matter who scores the goal, we all play for the team. We want to win.
Where do you want to see Bangladesh football in five years?
I want us to continue improving day by day. I have been with the national team for three years now. We should set a five-year target. Right now, my main target is to win the SAFF Championship, perform well in AFC qualifiers and, Inshallah, play the World Cup.
The women’s team continues to qualify and succeed. How inspiring is that for you?
Definitely inspiring. Sometimes their numbers and results look even better than ours. They score goals and win matches. We can learn a lot from them. We are proud of them.
You played for Abahani, Mohammedan and Bashundhara Kings. How does it feel to represent such giant clubs?
It feels very good. At Abahani and Mohammedan, you get real fans. They come to watch football purely for love. Many older supporters still attend matches. I feel lucky to play for such historic clubs.
Finally, football interest is growing across the country. Do you have a message for the fans?
I want to thank them. The love they showed in recent matches is impossible to explain. I am grateful, my team is grateful. We hope they keep supporting us, and together we will take Bangladesh football much higher, Inshallah.
