East Bengal legend Majid Beshkar, the Iranian who dazzled Indian football in the early 80s, has been admitted to a hospital in Khorramshahr on Wednesday due to some heart-related problems.

“He is still in the ICU but his condition has improved. He is under constant monitoring and would have to stay in the hospital for a few more days. Please pray for him,” informed a family member from the Iranian city.

The 64-year-old Majid had visited the city last year as a part of East Bengal’s centenary celebrations and was bowled over by the love and affection showered on him by the people. Majid had also played for Mohammedan Sporting but it was his first year — 1980 — in the red-and-gold colours that caught the people’s imagination.

His friend and compatriot Jamshid Nassiri did not know that Majid is hospitalised till “an East Bengal old-timer” called him to give the news.

“I did not know. An old fan of Majid broke the news to me. I tried to get in touch with his nephew in Iran but his phone went unanswered,” Jamshid said. He had spoken to Majid two months back and “at that time he did not speak about any health related problems.”