Former football star Monir Hossain, popularly known as Mohammedan's Monu, breathed his last at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University yesterday. He was 58.

Monu had been suffering from liver cirrhosis for the last one year and was admitted at the BSMMU several times.

The 'panther of Dhaka ground' left behind some beautiful footballing memories which still make the generation of the 80s -- a golden era of Bangladesh football -- nostalgic.

After calling time in 1989 following an ankle injury, Monu was not seriously involved with football, instead choosing to live in silence with his wife and two daughters at his Mugda residence. However, he would sometimes be seen in front of the Bangladesh Football Federation house or Sonali Otit Club, wearing very simple attire.

But people could hardly recognize him, the man who was once the country's most popular footballer following his stunning goals from distance as well as his speed on the wing.

The diminutive winger, who played alongside the likes of Abdus Salam Murshedy and Badal Roy, was the man behind the resurgence of Mohammedan in 1986. He scored a stunning goal from midfield to help the Black and Whites regain the Dhaka Premier League title after three seasons. He scored many special goals in the league while a few were also for the national team.

Born in Arambagh area, Monu worked hard to become a footballer and appeared in the third division football club – Malibag Abhijatri Club in 1981 before guiding BRTC Club to promotion to the first division.

He then helped Sylhet district clinch the title of the Sher-e-Bangla National Football League in 1984, thereby drawing attention of Mohammedan, where he played for four seasons before moving to Arambagh and then ending his career at Youngmen's Fakirerpool Club.

His namaz-e-janaza was held at the Mugda Modinabagh Jam-e-Masjid before being laid to eternal rest at the Azimpur graveyard.