Shekh Morsalin

Shekh Morsalin (; born 19 February 2005) is a Bangladeshi professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Bangladesh Premier League club Bashundhara Kings and the Bangladesh national team. A versatile player, Morsalin can also play as a central midfielder and false nine.

Early career

Born in Charbhadrasan Upazila of Faridpur District, Morsalin started playing local football tournaments while still only being a 6th grade student of Adarsh Secondary School. In 2014, when trials for the U-12 national football team were held in Charbhadrasan, Morsalin caught the eye of veteran coach Abul Kashem Bholer. However, due to family problems, Morsalin was unable to join the main camp. In 2015, with the help of his uncle Subahan Rahman, Morsalin's career resumed, when the BFF youth football coach Abdur Razzak saw his potential during a trial and included him in the U-13 national team, for the Mogh Cup held in Malaysia.

In 2016, Morsalin was admitted to Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP), where he continued his education while playing for BKSP's football team in different tournaments, including the 9th Bangladesh Games, in 2020. During the tournament, he managed to score a notable brace against Satkhira District football team, in the third place playoff. In 2019, he scored six goals in India's Subroto Cup to become the U-17 tournament's second top scorer.

Club career

Alamgir Somaj Kollayan KS

After the 2019–20 Dhaka Third Division League was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, BKSP coaches arranged Morsalin's move to Alamgir Somaj Kollayan KS, to participate in the delayed league season in 2021. In his first year playing domestic football, Morsalin captained the club to promotion as league champions, and also finished the season as top scorer, with 19 goals from 16 matches. During the season, he also registered a hat-trick against Araf Sporting and a super hat-trick against Asaduzzman FA. In 2021, Morsalin was among the 35 preliminary selected players for FC Bayern Munich's World Squad, however, he failed to make the final team.

Bashundhara Kings

2021–22 season: Mohammedan SC (loan)

On 25 November 2021, Morsalin joined Bangladesh Premier League club Bashundhara Kings on a three-year contract. While still being a student at BKSP, the initial plan for Morsalin was to train at the club for three years under foreign coaches, and then play in the Premier League. However, club president Imrul Hassan sent him on loan to Mohammedan SC, during the mid season transfer window, to give him game time.

On 20 April 2022, Morsalin joined Mohammedan SC on loan. The 17-year-old made his Premier League debut on 22 June 2022, in a Dhaka Derby match, which Mohammedan lost 2–4. In the following game on 27 June, he scored his first goal for the club in a 3–1 win over Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi. On 1 July 2022, Morsalin scored a long-range strike against his parent club Bashundhara Kings. His goal earned national recognition and went viral on social media.

Even after securing a regular place at the Mohammedan SC starting eleven, Morsalin expressed his desire to return to his parent club, stating in an interview ''"I want to focus on coming back to Bashundhara Kings from my loan, be a regular starter there and eventually make it in the Bangladesh national football team. And I've got long-term dreams of playing in a foreign league too if possible in the future.''"

2022–23 season: Return to Kings

On 5 December 2022, Morsalin made his debut for Bashundhara Kings, during the 2022–23 Independence Cup final against Sheikh Russel KC. After 2–2 draw, Kings won the game on penalties, as Morsalin claimed his first title with the club.

On 26 May 2023, he netted his first goal for the club in a 6–4 victory over Sheikh Russel KC. He also registered two assists against Mohammedan SC in the following league fixture, on 2 June 2023. Morsalin's performances in these two games got him called up to the national team camp ahead of the 2023 SAFF Championship.

2023–24 season: Disciplinary issues

On 15 August 2023, Morsalin made his continental football debut by coming on as an 84th-minute substitute during a 0–2 defeat against Sharjah FC in the 2023–24 AFC Champions League qualifying play-offs. On 19 September 2023, he made the starting eleven as Kings were trashed 1–3 by Maziya in the 2023–24 AFC Cup.

On 20 September 2023, Morsalin and four of his teammates were discovered to have illegally brought in 64 bottles of alcohol by customs officials at Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. This incident occurred upon their return from the Maldives after defeat in the AFC Cup. Despite the initial indefinite suspension of the players, Morsalin, who was reported to be carrying 10 bottles, had his suspension lifted after receiving a Tk 1 lakh fine from his club.

Nonetheless, Morsalin was excluded from the national squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC first round. He was also left out of the Kings squad for an away fixture against Odisha FC in the AFC Cup. On 28 October 2023, he returned to the pitch by coming on as a second-half substitute against Bangladesh Navy in the 2023 Independence Cup.

International career

Morsalin was a late inclusion to the 35-member preliminary squad for the 2023 SAFF Championship in India, by Spanish coach Javier Cabrera. Despite being the youngest player, he made it into the final 23-member squad for the tournament.

On 15 June 2023, he made his international debut by coming on as a 70th-minute substitute for Jamal Bhuyan in a 1–0 victory over Cambodia.

On 25 June 2023, he scored his first international goal in a 3–1 victory over Maldives, in the 2023 SAFF Championship. In the following game, he scored the equaliser as Bangladesh came from behind to defeat Bhutan 3–1. The victory confirmed the country's berth in the semi-finals of the tournament for the first time in 14 years. He continued his SAFF Championship form by scoring against Afghanistan in a friendly match held in Dhaka on 7 September 2023.

After missing the first round, Morsalin returned to the national team, coming on as a substitute against Australia during a 0–7 defeat in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round.

Personal life

In 2023, Morsalin graduated from Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP) with a 5.00 GPA in his HSC examinations. He has stated his interest in pursuing higher studies alongside playing professional football, and also that he has had the full support of his club, Bashundhara Kings. In September 2023, Morsalin was admitted to Dhaka University under its sports quota.

Style of play

During 2021–22, Morsalin was regarded as the "discovery of the season" by local news outlets. A midfielder who prefers to keep the ball under his control, Morsalin is seen as a versatile player, someone that can play as a striker, or an attacking midfielder, and although the lack of pace, his technical dribbling also makes him an asset on the wings.

Morsalin revealed that he tries to follow Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne’s style of play, stating in an interview, that during his time at BKSP he regularly watched the Belgian midfielder's videos online. Morsalin also has the ability to score long-range goals, which was evident after his goal against Bashundhara Kings during his debut season in the Bangladesh Premier League. Right-footed Morsalin was mainly used as creative midfielder during his loan spell at Mohammedan SC.

Career statistics

Club

International

International goals

:''Scores and results list Bangladesh's goal tally first.''

Honours

Alamgir Somaj Kollayan KS
* Dhaka Third Division League: 2019–20

Bashundhara Kings
*Bangladesh Premier League: 2022–23, 2023–24
* Independence Cup: 2022–23, 2023–24; runner-up: 2021-22
* Federation Cup third place: 2022–23

Individual
* Dhaka Third Division League top scorer: 2019–20

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Morsalin, Shekh
Living people
2005 births
Bangladeshi men's footballers
21st-century Bangladeshi sportsmen
Mohammedan SC (Dhaka) players
Bashundhara Kings players
Bangladesh men's international footballers
Men's association football midfielders
People from Faridpur District
Bangladesh Premier League footballers
Footballers from Dhaka Division