The story began with a simple WhatsApp message to Marat Tarek. After introducing myself and explaining my interest in an interview, the 22-year-old striker responded while returning to the Segunbagicha camp after training. Despite his busy schedule, he made time. What followed was a conversation about his unique upbringing, multinational identity, and his first journey into Bangladeshi football.
A Russian mother and a Cameroonian boxer father
Marat Tarek is the only child of a Russian mother and a Cameroonian father. He was born in Cameroon but moved to Russia with his parents at the age of two. He grew up there.
His father, Muhammad Tarek, was a professional boxer who traveled to various countries during his career and now works as a coach. His mother, Natalia Livinova, is employed at an international organization.
As a child, Marat accompanied his father to boxing rings and developed an early interest in sports. Boxing appealed to him, but ultimately football captured his heart.
“I used to go to boxing rings holding my father’s hand. I liked boxing,” Marat said. “But I was more drawn to football. It’s the most popular sport in the world. Because of my father’s coaching job, we moved to Serbia, where I trained at an academy. My parents never pressured me about my career. My father never pushed me to become a boxer. I’ve traveled to different countries, and now I’m playing in Bangladesh. Although we live in Moscow.”
Currently playing for PWD in Bangladesh’s domestic league, Marat has already made his mark.
The legacy of Zhukov and Rahimov
Marat’s arrival in Bangladeshi football revives memories of the 1990s, when Russian and former Soviet Union players left a significant impact in the country’s top clubs.
At Abahani Limited, midfielders Sergei Zhukov and Alexei Arifiev impressed fans. While Arifiev delivered steady performances, Zhukov’s displays were particularly memorable.
At Mohammedan Sporting Club, players such as Boris Kuznetsov, Jivtnikov, Sergei Novikov, and Azamat Abduraimov made strong impressions. Later, striker Edward played for Sheikh Russel KC.
After nearly 15 years, Marat Tarek has once again brought Russian representation back to the Bangladesh Premier League.
Though he does not yet claim to be of Zhukov’s or Abduraimov’s stature, Russian blood runs through his veins. He is aware of the history.
“Yes, I know about it,” he told. “Big Russian players have played here before. Bangladesh has a football tradition. I’ve heard there used to be huge crowds and strong enthusiasm for the game. I don’t see that same level now.”
Marat has already scored three goals for PWD in the second phase of the league. His immediate goal is to help his struggling team avoid relegation.
“This is my first time playing here. I want to achieve something,” he said. “We’ve already played several matches. First, I want to perform well and help the team avoid relegation. Then I want to keep scoring goals so that people remember me.”
Russia absent from two consecutive World Cups
In February 2022, following Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, FIFA and UEFA imposed an indefinite suspension on Russia from all international football competitions.
As a result, Russia missed the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, UEFA Euro 2024, and the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Marat expressed his disappointment at his country’s absence from global football’s biggest stage.
“We are a football-loving nation,” he said. “Missing two consecutive World Cups is painful. It’s hard to explain how much it hurts. Not just the World Cup—our players cannot participate in FIFA Club competitions either. We used to play in the Conference League, but we haven’t been there for four years.”
Indian football is more organized than Bangladesh
Before coming to Dhaka, Marat played for Real Kashmir FC in India’s I-League. When asked to compare Indian and Bangladeshi football, he noted differences in organization.
“I played in the I-League. Their stadiums and organization didn’t seem to have major issues. It felt structured and professional,” he said. “Bangladesh’s top league is slightly behind in comparison—whether in terms of facilities or overall management. However, in terms of playing quality, I don’t see a big difference between the two countries.”
Traffic in Dhaka is like Moscow
Marat was not surprised by Dhaka’s traffic congestion. According to him, Moscow faces similar gridlock during rush hours.
“In Moscow, there is heavy traffic during office hours. Dhaka is similar—maybe even a bit worse,” he said with a smile.
He also noted the climate difference. “It’s much hotter here, and the humidity is higher. But I don’t have problems with food. I eat chicken and fried rice. In my free time, I play billiards. I spend most of my time at the club.”
