From Vladivostok to the Durand Cup: Marat Tareck’s remarkable football journey

From a windswept childhood in Russia to becoming a key striker in India's historic Durand Cup, Russian-Cameroonian footballer Marat Tareck reflects on his unique journey, India's passionate football culture, and his dream of making a lasting impact in the Indian Super League

Hyderabad: A six-year-old boy kicks a football around a makeshift pitch next to his house in the freezing, windswept coastal city of Vladivostok in Russia, the largest Russian port in the Pacific Ocean near to the borders of China and North Korea.

An eagle-eyed local coach spots him, pulling the boy’s grandfather aside to insist the child be brought to the local academy. Thousands of miles away and nearly two decades later, that same boy steps onto the pitches of India, his ears ringing with the roars of tens of thousands of passionate fans.

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This is the journey of Marat Tareck, a striker born in Yaoundé, Cameroon, raised in Russia, and currently finding his soul in the heart of Indian football through the historic Durand Cup.

“I did not expect the atmosphere that we have experienced,” Tareck recalls, a smile breaking across his face as he remembers his first Durand Cup stint last season with Real Kashmir FC. “We played in Imphal, and even though the fans were cheering for the opposite team, TRAU FC, it was incredible. The stadium was literally shaking. It is just a great honour to be part of one of the most prestigious football competitions in Asia.”

For Tareck is a profound cultural and professional awakening. Now in his second season in India, representing Odisha’s Samaleswari Sporting, his pedigree is undeniable. The towering forward has found the back of the net three times in this historic competition, often when the stakes are highest.

Last season, wrapped in the colours of Real Kashmir, he proved his mettle. He first stunned a partisan Manipur crowd against TRAU FC, expertly controlling a lofted 24th-minute pass from midfielder Rohen Singh and calmly slotting it home to set the tone for a 2-1 win.

That early momentum proved unstoppable. Just days later against NEROCA FC, Tareck timed a perfect run to drill a 70th-minute low strike into the far corner. Not content with just scoring, he later launched a swift counter-attack to assist Modou Mbengue, sealing a commanding 3-1 victory and cementing his reputation as a game-changer.

This year, wearing the Samaleswari crest, his poacher’s instinct remains as sharp as ever. In a decisive 4-1 victory over Baghpat FC, Tareck was exactly where a number nine needs to be, pouncing on a 10th-minute rebound after Gnohere Krizo’s initial close-range effort was denied, calmly slotting the ball into an empty net to open the floodgates.

Yet, his impact goes beyond the sheer statistics. Tareck represents the beautiful, unpredictable global scouting network that the Durand Cup facilitates, bringing a 1.94-meter Russian-Cameroonian powerhouse to Indian football.

From Vladivostok to the Maidan
His footballing roots are as unique as his current destination. Moving from Cameroon to Russia at just two and a half years old, he considers himself thoroughly Russian. Growing up, like millions of kids worldwide, he idolized the flair of South American football, dedicating himself so fiercely to his hero that he even named his large, white pet dog ‘Neymar.’ By 15, his undeniable talent saw him sign his first professional contract with Luch-Energiya in Russia. “I never had a doubt about being a professional football player,” he says matter-of-factly.

It was a sudden phone call from an agent that altered his trajectory, offering him a chance to play in Asia’s oldest existing football tournament. What he found in India was a footballing ecosystem that he believes is vastly underestimated on the global stage.

“A lot of people in Europe, and everywhere in the world, underestimate Indian football,” Tareck explains. “The Durand Cup is a huge opportunity. It is, in my opinion, a pearl of Indian football. I hope it continues to grow and attract even more attention around the world because it truly deserves it.”

A Russian Poacher’s Awakening
His tactical versatility, capable of playing as a centre forward, a number 10, or even on the wings as he did recently during a stint in Albania, makes him a nightmare for local defenses. But Tareck has been equally impressed by the domestic talent he has faced. He speaks with genuine reverence about the tactical discipline of the Indian Army FT, noting a recent narrow 1-0 defeat where a local midfielder ran the show with pinpoint crosses and a wonderful free-kick.

“You guys have a lot of talents. The Army teams are really nice, really organized. We learned our lesson that you can never underestimate them,” he notes.

Spices, Cinema, and the City of Joy
Off the pitch, Tareck has embraced the vibrancy of the subcontinent. Before arriving, his knowledge of India was limited to the global phenomenon of Bollywood. Today, his perspective is shaped by breathtaking bus rides through the rain-soaked rice fields of Manipur, tranquil boat rides on the lakes of Kashmir, and the intense, humid energy of Kolkata.

He has traded traditional Russian fare for the rich spices of his new home. “Without thinking, if I go somewhere, just give me Chicken Biryani and I will enjoy it,” he laughs, noting that he has also developed a deep fondness for traditional Indian milk tea, a departure from the black tea of his homeland.

As he navigates the high-stakes environment of Kolkata, where he recently sat in the stands at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan to witness the sheer magnitude of the East Bengal-Mohun Bagan rivalry; his ambitions are clear. Tareck wants to leave a lasting mark in India, with dreams of eventually lighting up the Indian Super League.

But for now, his focus is firmly on repaying the faith of Samaleswari Sporting’s management and fans. He is a testament to the fact that while Russia and India may be distinct in climate, cuisine, and culture, the language spoken on the green grass of the pitch requires no translation.

“The cultures are very different, but football unites the world,” Tareck reflects thoughtfully. “It doesn’t matter where you are, you have that desire to win and do the best for your team. We love football in Russia, and you love football in India. I think that is the biggest similarity of all.”

In Marat Tareck, the Durand Cup has found a passionate global ambassador. And in the Durand Cup, Tareck has found a stage worthy of his relentless ambition.