Shekh Morsalin
Personal information
Full name Shekh Morsalin
Date of birth (2005-11-25) 25 November 2005
Place of birth Charbhadrasan,
Faridpur, Bangladesh
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Midfielder, Forward
Team information
Current team
 Bashundhara Kings
Number 33
Youth career
2016–2022 BKSP
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021 Alamgir Somaj Kollayan 16 (19)
2021– Bashundhara Kings 8 (1)
2022 → Mohammedan SC (loan) 7 (2)
International career‡
2023– Bangladesh 9 (4)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11 August 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 21 November 2023

Shekh Morsalin (Bengali: শেখ মোরসালিন; born 25 November 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.[1]

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.[2] 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.[3] 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.[4]

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.[3]

On 20 April 2022, Morsalin joined Mohammedan SC on loan. The 16-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.[5][6]

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."[7]

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.[8]

On 26 May 2023, he netted his first goal for the club in a 6–4 victory over Sheikh Russel KC.[9] 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.[10]

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.[11]

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.[12] 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.[13][14]

Nonetheless, Morsalin was excluded from the national squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC first round.[15] He was also left out of the Kings squad for an away fixture against Odisha FC in the AFC Cup.[16] 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.[17]

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.[18] Despite being the youngest player, he made it into the final 23-member squad for the tournament.[19]

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.[20]

On 25 June 2023, he scored his first international goal in a 3–1 victory over Maldives, in the 2023 SAFF Championship.[21] In the following game, he scored the equaliser as Bangladesh came from behind to defeat Bhutan 3–1.[22] The victory confirmed the country's berth in the semi-finals of the tournament for the first time in 14 years.[23] He continued his SAFF Championship form by scoring against Afghanistan in a friendly match held in Dhaka on 7 September 2023.[24]

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.[25]

Personal life

In 2023, Morsalin graduated from Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP) with a 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.[26] In September 2023, Morsalin was admitted to Dhaka University under its sports quota.[27]

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.[7]

Career statistics

Club

As of 28 October 2023.[28]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Domestic Cup Other Continental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Alamgir Somaj Kollayan 2019–20 Dhaka Third Division League 1619———1619
Bashundhara Kings 2021–22 Bangladesh Premier League 0000000000
2022–23 Bangladesh Premier League 814[lower-alpha 1]01[lower-alpha 2]000131
2023–24 Bangladesh Premier League 00001[lower-alpha 2]01[lower-alpha 3]020
Bashundhara Kings total 81402010151
Mohammedan SC (loan) 2021–22 Bangladesh Premier League 720000—72
Career total 31224020103822

International

As of 21 November 2023.
Bangladesh
YearAppsGoals
202394
Total94

International goals

Scores and results list Bangladesh's goal tally first.
#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.25 June 2023Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bangalore, India Maldives3–13–12023 SAFF Championship
2.28 June 2023Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bangalore, India Bhutan1–13–12023 SAFF Championship
3.7 September 2023Bashundhara Kings Arena, Dhaka, Bangladesh Afghanistan1–11–1FIFA Friendly
4.21 November 2023Bashundhara Kings Arena, Dhaka, Bangladesh Lebanon1–11–12026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Alamgir Somaj Kollayan KS

Bashundhara Kings

Individual

  • Dhaka Third Division League top scorer: 2019–20

References

  1. ↑ "মালয়েশিয়া যাচ্ছে কিশোর ফুটবলার মুরসালিন". aparadhbichitra (in Bengali). November 13, 2015. Archived from the original on June 22, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Bangladesh Army becomes men's football champions". The Daily Observer. Archived from the original on June 28, 2023.
  3. 1 2 "মৌসুমের 'সেরা আবিষ্কার'". Kalerkantho (in Bengali). August 13, 2022. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023.
  4. ↑ আলম, মাসুদ (June 27, 2023). "'মেসির খেলা দেখে ফুটবলে উজ্জীবিত হয়েছি'". Prothomalo (in Bengali). Archived from the original on June 27, 2023.
  5. ↑ "'ঘরের ছেলে' মোরসালিনে থামল কিংস". দেশ রূপান্তর (in Bengali). Archived from the original on June 22, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Morsalin shines again as MSC hold Kings". The Daily Star. July 3, 2022. Archived from the original on June 22, 2023.
  7. 1 2 "20 Under 20: Sheikh Morsalin - A football superstar in the making". The Business Standard. August 21, 2022. Archived from the original on June 22, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Zico turns hero as Kings regain Independence Cup title". The Daily Star. December 5, 2022. Archived from the original on June 22, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Morsalin 'here to stay". The Daily Star. June 27, 2023. Archived from the original on June 30, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Knack for long-rangers comes naturally: Morsalin". The Daily Star. June 5, 2023. Archived from the original on June 22, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Kings outplayed by Maziya in AFC Cup opener". www.dhakatribune.com. November 16, 2023. Archived from the original on November 16, 2023.
  12. ↑ "বাংলাদেশি ফুটবলারদের ব্যাগে ৬৪ বোতল মদ". dhakapost.com. January 1, 1970. Archived from the original on November 16, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Morsalin fined as Zico, Topu banned for months". www.dhakatribune.com. November 16, 2023. Archived from the original on November 16, 2023.
  14. ↑ "নিষেধাজ্ঞা উঠল মোরসালিন-রিমনের". bdnews24. Archived from the original on November 16, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Topu, Zico and Morsalin excluded from national camp after alcohol scandal". www.dhakatribune.com. November 16, 2023. Archived from the original on November 16, 2023.
  16. ↑ "জরিমানা আদায় করেও খেলতে নেয়নি". দৈনিক ইত্তেফাক. Archived from the original on November 16, 2023.
  17. ↑ "মোরসালিনের জন্য বড় সুযোগ". www.kalerkantho.com. November 28, 2023. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Morsalin, Sazzad added to preliminary squad". daily sun. Archived from the original on June 22, 2023.
  19. ↑ "মোরসালিনকে নিয়েই সাফের চূড়ান্ত দল, বাদ এলিটা কিংসলে". www.kalerkantho.com (in Bengali). November 28, 2023. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Bangladesh prepare for SAFF C'ship with win in Cambodia". The Daily Star. June 15, 2023. Archived from the original on June 22, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Bangladesh down Maldives to stay alive". The Daily Star. Archived from the original on 25 June 2023.
  22. ↑ "Magical Morsalin, the teenage star lighting up SAFF Championship". www.dhakatribune.com. 2023-06-29. Archived from the original on June 30, 2023. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
  23. ↑ "Mesmeric Morsalin helps Bangladesh reach SAFF semis after 14 years". The Business Standard. 2023-06-28. Archived from the original on 30 June 2023. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  24. ↑ "Morsalin unleashes CR7 celebration". The Daily Star. 2023-09-08. Archived from the original on 28 November 2023. Retrieved 2023-11-28.
  25. ↑ "জামালদের জালে সাত গোল". Jugantor (in Bengali). 2023-11-17. Archived from the original on 21 November 2023. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  26. ↑ "'খেলাধুলার পাশাপাশি উচ্চ শিক্ষা অর্জন করতে চাই'". www.kalerkantho.com (in Bengali). November 28, 2023. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023.
  27. ↑ "ঢাকা বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ে ভর্তিতে নির্বাচিত তাওহিদ হৃদয়-মোরসালিন-জিকো–ঋতুপর্ণাসহ ৪৯ খেলোয়াড়". Prothomalo (in Bengali). September 19, 2023. Archived from the original on November 16, 2023.
  28. ↑ Shekh Morsalin at Soccerway
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