Reasat Islam Khaton always dreamed of representing Bangladesh.

He spent his childhood and teenage years in Germany, developing his football skills at the Freiburg academy, and had a lengthy professional career that took him from Europe to South America. But his dream of playing for Bangladesh never materialized.

That dream first brought him to Dhaka in July 2013, for trials with the national team, but an injury ruled him out of contention. Another opportunity came two years later, in 2015, when he was included in Bangladesh’s squads for friendly matches against Singapore and Afghanistan.

However, he never made it onto the pitch, watching on from the bench in both games. The midfielder’s long-awaited debut in the red and green jersey remained elusive.

On Monday, Reasat returned to his birthplace, this time to watch football rather than play it. The 37-year-old former footballer arrived in Dhaka from Germany and will cheer for Bangladesh at the ongoing SAFF Championship as a supporter.

Born in Dhaka, Reasat moved to Freiburg, Germany, with his family at the age of five. He first developed an interest in football at school before joining local club Freiburger FC. At 14, he earned a place in the academy of Bundesliga club SC Freiburg.

Between 2008 and 2024, Reasat played for more than 15 clubs across his professional career. After featuring for youth teams of two German clubs, he embarked on a lengthy journey through senior football.

His most successful spell in Germany came with FSC Lohfelden, where he scored eight goals in 20 appearances. He later scored three goals in 14 league matches for FC Schwalmstadt, adding four more in three cup appearances.

After gaining experience in different tiers of German football, Reasat moved to the Philippines in 2015, joining top-flight club Pachanga Diliman FC. On June 20, he made his debut in the country's top division against Green Archers United.

His spell with Welsh Premier League club Llanelli Town FC during the 2018-19 season was another memorable chapter in his career. He subsequently joined Albania's KF Sukth and moved to South America in 2022.

Playing for Venezuela's Deportivo Rayo Zuliano, Reasat became the first Bangladeshi to feature in a professional football league in South America.

Despite his extensive playing career, Reasat could not reach the heights he had hoped for. However, he never left football behind.

He currently serves as first-team assistant manager and academy sporting director at German club FSV Wolfhagen. He also holds a UEFA B coaching licence.

Although he grew up in Germany, Reasat never lost touch with his Bangladeshi roots. His parents nurtured his connection with his birthplace and that connection gradually strengthened his ambition to represent Bangladesh.

"I have always had a deep connection with Bangladesh. Through my parents, I was introduced to the country's culture and roots. They were my biggest inspiration in dreaming of representing Bangladesh. They stood by me at every step of this journey," Reasat told Daily Waadaa.

In pursuit of his dream, Reasat eventually contacted then Bangladesh national team coach Lodewijk de Kruif and subsequently received a call-up to the national team's training camp.

At the time, representing Bangladesh seemed within reach. However, football does not always deliver the endings players hope for, as his dream of making an international appearance for Bangladesh remained unfulfilled.

While Denmark-born Jamal Bhuiyan established himself in the national team around the same period, Reasat could not follow a similar path. He believes injuries and factors beyond football also played a part, although he has no intention of dwelling on the disappointment.

"I had to deal with a lot of injuries during that period. However, I believe certain factors beyond football also played a role.

“At the time, my playing experience and career were better than those of many expatriate Bangladeshi footballers currently representing the country. Still, things did not fall into place. It was a different era, and the national team's structure was not what it is today," he said.

There is a clear contrast between Reasat's experience and the current state of Bangladesh football. The country's approach to recruiting footballers of Bangladeshi heritage from abroad has become considerably more proactive. The arrivals of players such as Hamza Choudhury and Shamit Shome have made that shift more visible.

Reasat believes the changes extend beyond what happens on the pitch, with significant improvements also taking place behind the scenes.

"I think the biggest changes have come behind the scenes. The national team's structure is different now, and the environment is much more open and welcoming for expatriate Bangladeshi footballers. It was not like that back then, which made it difficult to establish myself. Injuries were another factor, and I eventually had to return," he said.

Reasat did not want to elaborate on the specific difficulties he encountered during that period.

He remains grateful for the love and support of the Bangladeshi fans and believes his career might have taken a different direction had the current facilities, structure and circumstances been available during his playing days.

"I have always received a lot of love and support from Bangladeshi fans, and I am truly grateful for that. Looking back, I feel my career might have been different had the structure, opportunities and circumstances of today been available then. But every era has its own challenges, and I respect that," he said.

His latest visit to Bangladesh is also driven by that affection, but this time he has brought his wife Maroua Es-said along. Bangladesh is an entirely new experience for her, and Reasat is delighted to introduce her to the country's land, culture and his roots.

Reasat does not deny that missing out on the chance to play for Bangladesh remains disappointing. However, he does not want that unfulfilled ambition to define his entire journey.

"It would have been wonderful to represent my country. However, I always try to look at the positives. I have been able to turn my love for football into a profession and fulfil many dreams through the game. I am grateful for the entire journey," he said.

Yet Reasat does not believe his dream of representing Bangladesh is entirely over. Although the opportunity never came as a player, he hopes he might one day do so in a different capacity.

"Who knows, perhaps one day I will get the opportunity to represent Bangladesh as a coach."