{{Short description|Iranian footballer (born 1956)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Majid Beshkar | image = Majid Bishkar at home in Iran.jpg | image_size = 200px | caption = Beshkar at home in Khorramshahr in 2021 | height = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1956|08|06|df=y}} | birth_place = [[Khorramshahr]], [[Pahlavi Iran|Imperial State of Iran]] | currentclub = | clubnumber = | position = [[Attacking midfielder]] | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = | years1 = 1976–1978 | years2 = 1978–1979 | years3 = 1979–1981 | years4 = 1982–1987 | clubs1 = Rastakhiz Khorramshahr | clubs2 = [[Shahin F.C.|Shahbaz]] | clubs3 = [[Kingfisher East Bengal FC|East Bengal]] | clubs4 = [[Mohammedan Sporting Club (Kolkata)|Mohammedan]] | caps1 = 34 | goals1 = 18 | caps2 = 22 | goals2 = 14 | caps3 = | goals3 = 33 | caps4 = 128 | goals4 = 62 | nationalyears1 = 1976–1978 | nationalteam1 = [[Iran national football team|Iran]] | nationalcaps1 = 2 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | pcupdate = 09:55, 21 May 2019 (UTC) | ntupdate = 09:55, 20 September 2008 (UTC) }}
'''Majid Beshkar''' ({{langx|fa|مجید بیشکار}}; born {{Birth date|1956|8|6|df=y}}) is a retired [[Iran]]ian professional [[Association football|footballer]]. He is best known for his contributions towards the Indian football clubs [[East Bengal FC|East Bengal]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sceastbengal.co/post/majid-bishkar-the-prince-of-persia-who-cast-a-spell-with-his-magic|title=Majid Bishkar: The 'Prince of Persia' who cast a spell with his magic|website=East Bengal Football Club official website|access-date=1 July 2021|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182150/https://www.sceastbengal.co/post/majid-bishkar-the-prince-of-persia-who-cast-a-spell-with-his-magic|url-status=usurped}}</ref> and [[Mohammedan SC (Kolkata)|Mohammedan]],<ref>[https://kolkatatoday.com/majid-bishkar-visits-mohammedan-sporting/ Majid Bishkar visits Mohammedan Sporting]. ''Kolkata Today''. Retrieved 1 July 2021.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/field/985042/indian-football-fred-pugsley-chima-okorie-ranti-martins-the-foreign-strikers-who-shone-in-india|title=Indian football: Fred Pugsley, Chima Okorie, Ranti Martins – the foreign strikers who shone in India|website=Scroll.in|date=25 January 2021 |access-date=1 July 2021|archive-date=14 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514105606/https://scroll.in/field/985042/indian-football-fred-pugsley-chima-okorie-ranti-martins-the-foreign-strikers-who-shone-in-india|url-status=live}}</ref> both based in the city of [[Kolkata]], [[West Bengal]]. He was popularly known as "Badshah" in Calcutta Maidan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eastbengalfootballclub.com/club/famousPlayers5.asp|title=East Bengal Football Club – Famous Players|access-date=25 February 2009|website=eastbengalfootballclub.com|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090901194505/http://www.eastbengalfootballclub.com/club/famousPlayers5.asp|archive-date=1 September 2009}}</ref> An [[Attacking Midfielder|attacking midfielder]], Bishkar also played as a [[Forward (association football)|forward]] in a [[Formation (association football)|4–2–4 formation]], and guided SC East Bengal to win the [[Federation Cup (India)|Indian Federation Cup]] in 1980. He represented the [[Iran national football team|Iranian national football team]] at the [[1978 FIFA World Cup]] in [[Argentina]].<ref name=majid>{{cite web|author=Ved Sen|date=13 October 2014|url=https://qz.com/india/279990/long-before-the-indian-super-league-there-was-an-iranian-boy-who-mesmerized-kolkata/|title=Long before the Indian Super League, there was an Iranian boy who mesmerized Kolkata|website=Quartz India|accessdate=24 June 2021|archive-date=4 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204074313/https://qz.com/india/279990/long-before-the-indian-super-league-there-was-an-iranian-boy-who-mesmerized-kolkata/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=KC McElroy|date=13 October 2014|url=http://www.persianfootball.com/forums/showthread.php?113174-Former-Iranian-international-Majid-Bishkar|title=Former Iranian international Majid Bishkar|website=persianfootball.com|accessdate=24 June 2021|archive-date=5 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405072613/http://www.persianfootball.com/forums/showthread.php?113174-Former-Iranian-international-Majid-Bishkar|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=majidjamshid>{{cite web|first=Somnath|last=Sengupta|date=9 November 2018|url=http://www.goaldentimes.org/majid-bishkar-and-jamshid-nassiri/|title=Majid Bishkar And Jamshid Nassiri : Indian Football's Iconic Iranian Duo|work=Goalden Times|accessdate=26 June 2021|archive-date=14 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214204839/https://www.goaldentimes.org/majid-bishkar-and-jamshid-nassiri/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=tenbest>{{cite web|first=Ritabrata|last=Banerjee|date=16 May 2020|url=https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/indian-football-east-bengal-10-best-foreigners/10npgrhj9eyrc1969hv0yp2uqf|title=Indian Football – The 10 best foreigners to have played for East Bengal|work=Goal|accessdate=27 June 2021|archive-date=14 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214231557/https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/indian-football-east-bengal-10-best-foreigners/10npgrhj9eyrc1969hv0yp2uqf|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Earlier career== At club level, Majid began his career in his hometown of [[Khorramshahr]] with [[Rastakhiz F.C.|Rastakhiz FC]] and then moved to the [[Tehran province League]] with [[Shahin Tehran F.C.|Shahin Tehran FC]] as a forward, where he played [[Iranian revolution|until 1979]].
==Career in India== During the 1970s he moved to [[Aligarh Muslim University]] in India to study.<ref name="timesofindia">{{cite web|author=Mohammad Amin-ul Islam|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/events-tournaments/asian-cup-2011/Iranians-stumped-by-Majids-India-link/articleshow/7288662.cms|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103094618/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-15/asian-cup-2011/28378272_1_iranians-mohammedan-sporting-journalist|url-status=live|archive-date=3 January 2013|title=Iranians stumped by Majid's India link|date=15 January 2011|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=4 September 2012}}</ref> On seeing his performance for the university in the North Zone Inter University championship, Bishkar was signed by [[East Bengal FC]] along with other Iranian players [[Jamshid Nassiri]] and Mahmud Khabbasi.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kamath|first=Sooraj|title=Father-son duo to have graced Indian football |url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/father-son-duo-to-have-graced-indian-football/5o84721k8pnt1ktbxc47igp19|access-date=2021-02-11|publisher=Goal|language=en|archive-date=24 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424060223/https://www.goal.com/en/amp/news/father-son-duo-to-have-graced-indian-football/5o84721k8pnt1ktbxc47igp19}}</ref><ref name=tenbest/><ref>{{cite web |author=soumen78 |url=https://eastbengalclubrecords.wordpress.com/2016/03/31/list-of-foreign-players-to-play-for-east-bengal-club-from-1942/ |title=List of Foreign Players to Play for East Bengal Club from 1942 – East Bengal Club, India – Records, Funs and Facts |publisher=Eastbengalclubrecords.wordpress.com |date=2016-03-31 |access-date=2018-12-18 |archive-date=19 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019001914/https://eastbengalclubrecords.wordpress.com/2016/03/31/list-of-foreign-players-to-play-for-east-bengal-club-from-1942/ }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|location=Kolkata|first=Indranil|last=Banerjie|date=15 May 1985|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/sport/story/19850515-money-violence-and-politics-enter-calcutta-football-770046-2013-12-09|title=Money, violence and politics enter Calcutta football|work=India Today|access-date=1 April 2023|archive-date=1 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401133317/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/sport/story/19850515-money-violence-and-politics-enter-calcutta-football-770046-2013-12-09}}</ref> The 1980 [[Federation Cup (India)|Federation Cup]] was his debut tournament with the Red and Golds, where he won the tournament with them. In the same season, East Bengal also won the [[Rovers Cup]] where he played a key role.<ref>{{Cite web|title=ময়দানের দেবদাস|url=https://www.anandabazar.com/patrika/devdas-of-maidan-a-special-write-up-by-jayanta-chakraborty-1.353927|access-date=2021-02-11|website=anandabazar.com|language=bn|archive-date=2 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702132609/https://www.anandabazar.com/patrika/devdas-of-maidan-a-special-write-up-by-jayanta-chakraborty-1.353927|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[East Bengal FC|East Bengal]] signed him shortly afterwards. He was known as ''Majid Baskar'' in India, a mispronunciation and misspelling which led to difficulties for both Iranian and Indian officials in unveiling the true identity of Majid.<ref name="timesofindia"/>
Bishkar played imaginative football throughout and was primarily instrumental in East Bengal's winning the [[IFA Shield]] (joint winners) and Darjeeling Gold Cup. In the Shield final, he set up CB Thapa to score a magnificent goal after playing four wall-passes with others. At the Darjeeling Gold Cup too, he was unstoppable and was the main prop behind the Red and Golds 3–2 triumph over Mohun Bagan. Overall, Bishkar netted 33 goals for the Red and Gold brigade.
He switched to [[Mohammedan Sporting Club (Kolkata)|Mohammedan Sporting Club]] in 1982, guiding them to a range of trophies including [[Calcutta Football League]] and [[Rovers Cup]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://khelnow.com/football/mohammedan-spoting-club-majid-bishkar|title=Mohammedan Sporting felicitate Majid Bishkar|website=Khel Now|access-date=1 July 2021|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184859/https://khelnow.com/football/mohammedan-spoting-club-majid-bishkar|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/the-prince-of-persia-returns-majid-bishkar-comes-back-to-rekindle-maidan-memories-east-bengal-football-5899978/|title=The Prince of Persia returns: Majid Bishkar comes back to rekindle maidan memories|access-date=1 July 2021|website=The Indian Express|date=13 August 2019 |archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709181435/https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/the-prince-of-persia-returns-majid-bishkar-comes-back-to-rekindle-maidan-memories-east-bengal-football-5899978/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Marar|first=Nandakumar|title=Majid was like a god on the pitch, says Brahmanand|url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/majid-beshkar-like-a-god-on-the-pitch-brahmanand-sankwalkar-east-bengal/article29101559.ece|access-date=2021-02-11|website=Sportstar|date=15 August 2019 |language=en|archive-date=7 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107014846/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/majid-beshkar-like-a-god-on-the-pitch-brahmanand-sankwalkar-east-bengal/article29101559.ece|url-status=live}}</ref>
Majid was instrumental for the first win against [[Mohun Bagan AC]] in 1983 [[Federation Cup (India)|Federation Cup]] also helping to lift the trophy in the final. This win came after late sixties in any form of tournament. After a brief hiatus at a time when he was surrounded by controversies, he was last seen playing for Mohammedan SC in 1987. He was relatively unknown in Iran, with both Iranian football journalists and officials being unaware that Majid had previously plied his trade in India.<ref name="timesofindia"/> Due to troubles in his homeland, he eventually got addicted to narcotics and led a bohemian lifestyle. After a few other unsuccessful stints in other parts of India, he moved back to Iran. He is still considered one of the best foreigners in the history of Indian club football.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehardtackle.com/2010/high-five-best-foreigners-in-indian-football/|title=High Five: Best Foreigners in Indian Football|publisher=The Hard Tackle|date=7 December 2010|access-date=4 September 2012|archive-date=25 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180525155451/http://www.thehardtackle.com/2010/high-five-best-foreigners-in-indian-football|url-status=live}}</ref> He has a nickname ''"Badshah"'' which he got while playing in Kolkata Maidan.<ref>[https://m.facebook.com/MohammedanSportingKolkata/photos/a.454819361318794/1687093531424698/?type=3 Mohammedan Sporting club and Badshah Majid Bishkar] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182654/https://m.facebook.com/MohammedanSportingKolkata/photos/a.454819361318794/1687093531424698/?type=3 |date=9 July 2021 }} ''facebook.com''. Retrieved 1 July 2021</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.orissapost.com/remembering-majid-bishkar-east-bengals-80s-badshah/|title=Remembering Majid Bishkar: East Bengal's '80s 'Badshah'|website=orissapost.com|date=September 2019 |access-date=1 July 2021|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709183457/https://www.orissapost.com/remembering-majid-bishkar-east-bengals-80s-badshah/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Bishkar cast a magical spell during two seasons at East Bengal and then at Mohammedan Sporting, but as he returned to [[Kolkata]] in 2019, after more than three decades, nobody had forgotten the Badshah. {{Quote box | width=30% | align=right | quote="When I landed in Kolkata and picked up my luggage, I was wondering who would guide me to the hotel at 3am. I saw a few East Bengal officials inside the airport and was happy. Then some police escorts showed up and I was happier. But what I saw as I stepped out of the airport was unbelievable.
Hundreds of East Bengal supporters wearing the team jersey and waving flags were shouting my name. They were eager to get a glimpse of me and kept saying 'Badshah is here'. I rubbed my eyes in disbelief. I had left the city decades ago, yet they had not forgotten me"|source= <small>'''Majid Bishkar''', on his last trip to [[Kolkata]] in 2019.<ref>[https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/i-wanted-time-for-myself-thought-no-one-would-find-me-here-majid-bishkar/articleshow/70693669.cms I wanted time for myself, thought no one would find me here: Majid Bishkar] ''The Times of India''. Retrieved 1 July 2021</ref> </small> }}
==International career== Bishkar was included in the [[Iran national football team]] for the [[1978 FIFA World Cup]].<ref>[http://www.planetworldcup.com/CUPS/1978/squad_irn78.html Iran national football team: 1978 FIFA World Cup] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323213235/http://www.planetworldcup.com/CUPS/1978/squad_irn78.html |date=23 March 2021 }} ''planetworldcup.com''. Retrieved 20 April 2021</ref> Iran made its debut [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] appearance after defeating [[Australia men's national soccer team|Australia]] in [[Tehran]]. Iran lost two of three group stage matches against the [[Netherlands National Football Team|Netherlands]] and [[Peru national football team|Peru]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.teammelli.com/articles/iran_in_world_cup_1978.htm|title=Iran in World Cup 1978|work=teammelli.com|access-date=21 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100104101448/http://www.teammelli.com/articles/iran_in_world_cup_1978.htm|archive-date=4 January 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> and Iran's journey ended early for the group stages.
==Personal life== After his brief stint with two [[Kolkata]] giants, Bishkar moved to Iran in the 1980s and currently live in [[Khorramshahr]], [[Khuzestan province]], with his family. On 1 October 2020, he was admitted to a hospital after a heart attack.<ref>[https://www.anandabazar.com/sports/majid-bishkar-is-in-hospital-dgtl-1.1210031 হৃদরোগে আক্রান্ত মজিদ, ভর্তি হাসপাতালে] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709181738/https://www.anandabazar.com/sports/majid-bishkar-is-in-hospital-dgtl-1.1210031 |date=9 July 2021 }} ''Anandabazar Patrika''. Retrieved 1 July 2021</ref><ref>[http://www.asiabangla.live/global/%E0%A6%87%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A7%83%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%87/ ইরানের হাসপাতালে হৃদরোগে আক্রান্ত হয়ে সিসিউতে ভর্তি কিংবদন্তি ফুটবলার মজিদ বাসকর] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182301/http://www.asiabangla.live/global/%E0%A6%87%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A7%83%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%87/ |date=9 July 2021 }} ''Asiabangla.live''. Retrieved 1 July 2021.</ref>
==Honours== '''East Bengal''' *[[Federation Cup (India)|Federation Cup]]: 1980 *[[Rovers Cup]]: 1980
'''Mohammedan Sporting''' *Federation Cup: 1983–84, 1984–85 *[[IFA Shield]]: runner-up: 1982 *[[Rovers Cup]]: 1984; runner-up: 1982, 1983 *Sait Nagjee Trophy: 1984 *[[Bordoloi Trophy]]: 1985; runner-up: 1983 *[[DCM Trophy]]: runner-up: 1982, 1983 *[[Darjeeling Gold Cup]]: 1984
'''Individual''' * [[East Bengal Club Season Awards|East Bengal "Best Foreign Player Award"]]: 2019<ref>{{cite web|first=Marcus|last=Mergulhao|date=16 August 2019|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/i-wanted-time-for-myself-thought-no-one-would-find-me-here-majid-bishkar/articleshow/70693669.cms|title=wanted time for myself, thought no one would find me here|work=The Times of India|access-date=5 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705192725/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/i-wanted-time-for-myself-thought-no-one-would-find-me-here-majid-bishkar/articleshow/70693669.cms|archive-date=5 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Amitabha|last=Das Sharma|date=13 August 2019|url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/football-east-bengal-centenary-celebrations-majid-bishkar-returns-kolkata-jamshed-nasiri-mohun-bagan-bhaskar-ganguly-mohammedan/article29037120.ece|title=Emotional homecoming for East Bengal legend Majid 'Badsha' Beshkar|work=[[Sportstar]]|access-date=5 July 2021|archive-date=15 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515115606/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/football-east-bengal-centenary-celebrations-majid-bishkar-returns-kolkata-jamshed-nasiri-mohun-bagan-bhaskar-ganguly-mohammedan/article29037120.ece}}</ref>
==See also== {{Portal|Iran|Biography|Association football}} *[[1978 FIFA World Cup squads]] *[[List of foreign players for SC East Bengal]]
==References== {{Reflist}}
==Further reading== *{{cite book|title=East Bengal 100|publisher=Allsport Foundation|date=1 January 2021|first=Gautam|last=Roy|isbn=978-8194763109}} *{{cite book |last1=Kapadia |first1=Novy |year=2017|title=Barefoot to Boots: The Many Lives of Indian Football |publisher=Penguin Random House |isbn=978-0-143-42641-7 }} *{{cite book |last1=Martinez| first1=Dolores |last2=Mukharjiim |first2=Projit B|year=2009|title=Football: From England to the World: The Many Lives of Indian Football |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nbzhAQAAQBAJ&q=kerala+footballer+in+Burma |publisher=[[Routledge]] |isbn=978-1-138-88353-6 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702174505/https://books.google.co.in/books?id=nbzhAQAAQBAJ&dq=kerala+footballer+in+Burma&source=gbs_navlinks_s |archive-date=2 July 2022 }} *{{cite book|title=Soccer in South Asia: Empire, Nation, Diaspora|year=2001|publisher=Frank Cass Publishers|location=[[London]], United Kingdom|isbn=978-0-7146-8170-2|page=33|last1=Dineo|first1=Paul|last2=Mills|first2=James|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=71JHZiiP3hoC|archive-date=25 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725072732/https://books.google.co.in/books/about/Soccer_in_South_Asia.html?id=71JHZiiP3hoC&source=kp_book_description&redir_esc=y}} *[[Partha Chatterjee (scholar)|Chatterjee, Partha]]. ''The Nation and Its Fragments: Colonial and Post-colonial Histories'' (Calcutta: [[Oxford University Press]], 1995). *{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QbUFaAEACAAJ|title=History of Indian Football: Upto 2009–10|first=Nirmal|last=Nath|year=2011|publisher=Readers Service|isbn=9788187891963|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220722172604/https://books.google.co.in/books/about/History_of_Indian_Football.html?id=QbUFaAEACAAJ&source=kp_book_description&redir_esc=y|archive-date=22 July 2022}}
==External links== *{{Sports links}} *[http://www.planetworldcup.com Planet World Cup] *[https://www.rsssf.org/ Stats] at [[RSSSF]]
{{Iran Squad 1978 World Cup}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bishkar, Majid}} [[Category:1956 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Iranian men's footballers]] [[Category:1978 FIFA World Cup players]] [[Category:Iran men's international footballers]] [[Category:Iranian expatriate men's footballers]] [[Category:East Bengal Club players]] [[Category:People from Khorramshahr]] [[Category:Men's association football midfielders]] [[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in India]] [[Category:Iranian expatriate sportspeople in India]] [[Category:Calcutta Football League players]] [[Category:Footballers from Khuzestan province]] [[Category:20th-century Iranian sportsmen]]