This is the 2270th most frequent Russian word.
играл
"Играл" means "played" in English (past tense, masculine singular).
Here, 'играл' is used for the past tense of 'to play' referring to an activity involving a game (soccer).
Я играл в футбол вчера.
I played soccer yesterday.
Here, 'играл' signifies engaging in playing a musical instrument, in this case, the piano, in the past tense.
он часто играл на пианино вечерами.
He often played the piano in the evenings.
In this context, 'играл' refers to performing or acting, demonstrated by being part of a theater performance.