TARIK, who played at Shonan Bellmare until last year, said "football was the key" when he was a boy and moved to Norway (2ページ目)

"People tend to think of Norway as a country of winter sports like skiing," Tarik continued. "But in reality so many people love football. So we all kicked a ball in the schoolyard during school break-time. I didn't speak any Norwegian at the time, but a classmate gestured to me and invited me to go out with him. They asked me to play goalkeeper. I knew football too, but I couldn't say anything so just nodded and positioned myself in front of the goal."

The western part of North Africa, known as Maghreb, is considered a birthplace of skilled footballers. Top players of Berber heritage include Zinedine Zidane and Karim Benzema, who are both of Algerian descent. Tarik, also of Berber descent, has been chasing the ball in the streets until dark since he can remember, and has mastered the art of football skills.

So after catching an opponent's shot, he decided to carry it himself without passing to anyone. Nobody could stop Tarik's dribble, and he finished by hitting a sharp shot into the top corner. Just like Raul González or Zidane, whom he admired.

At that moment, the expressions on the faces of the children around him changed from curiosity to respect. Immediately afterwards, a loud cheer went up. That sound remains in Tarik's ears.

"From that moment on, everyone wanted to be friends with me," said Tarik. "Even though many of the boys around 10 years old were shy and going through puberty, they all wanted to be on the same team as me. So football was the key for me to fit in in the new society."

After that, he quickly integrated into Norwegian life and society. Although he had never been part of an organized team in Morocco, there was a well-run club in his new country and he gained all kinds of great first experiences.

"Kicking a ball on grass, putting on a uniform, putting on football boots, it all started in Norway for me," said Tarik. "When I got into the local team and got my kit, I was so happy and that night I slept in my shirt, pants, socks and even my shoes."

Tarik then developed his talent quickly, making his professional debut at the age of 17 and playing for Norway's national team for the first time at 20, when he was called up to the national A team without hesitation.

"I wanted to give back to my country because I developed my footballing talent in Norway and became a professional there", Tarik continued. "I was born in Morocco and grew up in Norway, but I feel I am from both sides. If I go to Morocco, I am Moroccan, if I am in Norway, I am Norwegian."