TOKYO — Kazuyoshi Miura, the legendary Japanese soccer player, celebrated his 58th birthday on Wednesday. Fondly referred to as “King Kazu,” Miura has more to rejoice on this special occasion as he prepares to embark on his 40th season in professional soccer. This marks him as the oldest player within the Japanese Football League.
Currently, Miura is playing for Suzuka, a team in the fourth division of Japanese soccer, on loan from Yokohama, a second-division club. Suzuka was scheduled to commence its training sessions this week, with the official start of the season anticipated next month.
In a statement made late last year, Miura emphasized his commitment to the sport, stating, “Retiring isn’t an option. I want to play as many minutes as I can in games.”
Miura boasts an illustrious international career with stints in Brazil, Italy, Croatia, Australia, and Portugal. His professional journey began in 1986 with Brazil’s Santos, a team celebrated for its association with the legendary Pelé.
Remarkably, at the age of 50 in 2017, Miura set a record by becoming the oldest player to score in a professional match, surpassing the previous record held by England’s Stanley Matthews, a renowned player in his own right.
As one of Japanese soccer’s pioneering figures, Miura left an indelible mark on the national team during the 1990s, scoring 55 goals in 89 appearances and solidifying his status as a true star.
