26 Facts About Nasser Hejazi

Nasser Hejazi, nicknamed "the legendary Iranian goalkeeper", was an Iranian football player and coach who most notably played for Esteghlal.

Nasser Hejazi was goalkeeper of Iran national team in the 1960s and 1970s and won the AFC Asian Cup on two occasions in 1972 and 1976, and Asian Games title once, and competed in the 1972 Munich Olympics and 1976 Montreal Olympics and 1978 FIFA World Cup.

Nasser Hejazi's father, Ali Akbar had a real estate agency in Tehran and was an Iranian Azerbaijani from Tabriz.

Nasser Hejazi was admitted to Allameh Tabatabai University in 1977.

Nasser Hejazi was later enrolled in Nader FC in 1964 and played for club until 1965.

Nasser Hejazi was the goalkeeper of the Taj Tehran and Iran during the 1970s.

Nasser Hejazi first broke into the Taj side when he was only 18 years old and while a member of the now defunct Nader FC.

Nasser Hejazi won the Asian Club Championship in 1970; he won the Iranian league in 1971 as well as 1975 and was positioned second in 1974.

Nasser Hejazi made his only appearance in the final league game against arch-rivals Dhaka Abahnai, coming on as a substitute in the last 21 minutes for the injured Sayeed Hassan Kanan.

Nasser Hejazi made his debut for the Iran national team in 1969.

Nasser Hejazi became the first-choice goalkeeper in time for the 1972 Asian Cup, which Iran won for a second time in a row.

Nasser Hejazi continued as Iran's starting goalkeeper at the 1978 FIFA World Cup in Argentina, but Iran conceded eight goals in their three games, managing just one draw.

Nasser Hejazi was effectively forced to retire from international football, despite being only 29 years old at the time of implementation.

Nasser Hejazi coached Bangladeshi football club Mohammedan from 1987 to 1992.

In early August 2006 Nasser Hejazi announced he signed a one-year contract as head coach of Azadegan League outfit Nassaji Mazandaran.

Nasser Hejazi resigned from the post on 19 January 2007.

On 3 November 2004, Nasser Hejazi announced his nomination for 2005 presidential election.

Nasser Hejazi was rejected by the Guardian Council of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Iran, arguing his lack of political career prior to the election.

Nasser Hejazi was an opponent to the Economic reform plan of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's Government.

Nasser Hejazi was a part of plot within Season 3 in Homeland.

Nasser Hejazi was diagnosed with aggressive lung cancer in late 2009.

Nasser Hejazi went into a coma on 20 May 2011 as he was watching the match between Esteghlal and Pas Hamedan soccer teams in the final week of the Iran Pro League.

Nasser Hejazi's funeral was held on 25 May 2011 in Azadi Stadium in western Tehran and his body was buried in the Behesht-e Zahra cemetery in southern Tehran on the same day as his final resting place.

Nasser Hejazi's popularity went beyond Iran's borders as Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson expressed the club's sympathy for Nasser Hejazi's illness in April 2010.

Nasser Hejazi is considered by many to be the best Iranian and Asian goalkeeper of all time.

Nasser Hejazi was a member of the all-conquering Iran national team of the 1960s and 1970s that won the Asian Cup a record three times in a row and represented Iran at two Summer Olympics as well as 1978 FIFA World Cup.