The former international of Japan Kazuyoshi Miura holds a press conference to announce his membership in Atletico Suzuka during a temporary transfer to the National Stade of Tokyo on June 25, 2024. (AFP photo)
Record striker Kazuyoshi Miura played at the age of 58 in Japan at the age of 58 for his 40th season as a professional footballer.
The former international Miura, affectionately known as “King Kazu”, is the oldest professional in Japan and almost certainly beyond.
Read: “ King Kazu ‘Reign continues while Miura, 54, joins Suzuka
He came as a substitute for the 82nd minute for Atletico Suzuka Club on Sunday and helped them seal a 2-1 victory in the Japan Football League.
Miura, one of the best known footballers in Asia in the 1990s, did not score but told journalists that he was “happy to have been able to contribute” after his cameo at the age of 58 and 109 days.
“Thank you using my teammates and coaches, I was able to get there so far. Now I want to increase my game even more, ”said.
Miura returned to Japan last year after two seasons with the Portuguese holder of the Oliveirense second division, where he made nine apparitions on loan from Yokohama FC.
Read: The Japanese footballer becomes the oldest player to make his debut in Portuguese football at 56
He made his debut in 1986 with the Brazilian side Santos and also played in Italy, Croatia and Australia.
The striker helped put football in Japan on the map when the professional J-League was launched in 1993.
He made his debut in Japan in Japan in 1990, but was excluded from the team for their first appearance in the World Cup final in 1998, despite 55 goals in 89 games for the national team.
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