Kazuyoshi Miura Makes Historic Appearance in 40th Season as Professional Footballer

Kazuyoshi Miura, widely known as "King Kazu," recently made his return to professional football, stepping onto the pitch for the first time during his 40th season. At 58 years old, he came on as a substitute in the fourth-tier match where Atletico Suzuka emerged victorious with a 2-1 win against YSCC Yokohama. Miura had been sidelined after suffering a leg injury in January, which delayed his participation in the current Japan Football League season.

Following the match, Miura expressed his desire to showcase his capabilities once again, acknowledging the support he received throughout his recovery. He conveyed his ambition to elevate his performance as the season progresses. Miura’s illustrious career began in Brazil when he left Japan at the age of 15 to pursue football. He played for Santos in the 1986 Brazilian Championship and later returned to Japan, where he contributed significantly to Verdy Kawasaki’s success in the first two J.League seasons.

Throughout his career, Miura has accumulated an impressive tally of 55 goals for the Japanese national team, appearing in 89 matches. He has also enjoyed stints in various countries, including Italy, Croatia, Australia, and Portugal. While his record of longevity in the sport is notable, he still has a way to go to catch the record held by Egyptian Ezzeldin Bahader, who played professionally at 74 years of age. Despite the challenges, Miura’s deep commitment to football remains apparent, as he has no intentions of hanging up his boots anytime soon.