Iranian soccer legend One of Iran's most beloved athletes Nasser Hejazi was a goalkeeper for the Tehran-based Esteghlal football team for almost two decades. In the soccer-crazed country such as Iran many considered him as a soccer legend. He played for his country on sixty-two occasions and acted as manager for several Iranian and Bangladeshi teams. His skill at intercepting the ball earned him the title of the Eagle of Asia. Widely considered Iran's best goalkeeper ever, and officially ranked as Asia's second-best in the 20th century Nasser Hejazi gathered fans by the million. Soon after the demise of Nasser Hejazi sports fans wore black shirts in mourning and cried out 'Hejazi mardomi' (Hejazi of the people) in Tehran's massive Azadi Stadium. President Ahmadinejad expressed his grief over the superstar's death characterizing him as a "renowned and good-tempered Iranian football figure who, offered valuable services to national Iranian sport.' Nasser Hejazi died of cancer.