Kazuyoshi Miura has once again made football history after scoring at the remarkable age of 59, ending a wait of almost four years for his latest competitive goal.
The legendary Japanese striker, affectionately known as ‘King Kazu’, found the back of the net for Fukushima United during their emphatic 7-0 Emperor’s Cup victory over Iwaki Furukawa on Saturday.
Miura struck in the 52nd minute, making it 5-0 as Fukushima cruised into the next round of the competition. The goal marked his first competitive strike since November 2022, when he scored for Suzuka PG (now Atletico Suzuka) against FC Osaka.
Widely regarded as the oldest professional footballer in the world, Miura continues to rewrite the record books nearly four decades after making his senior debut.
The iconic forward began his professional career with Brazilian giants Santos in 1986 before enjoying spells across the globe, including in Italy, Croatia and Australia.
Miura became one of Japan’s biggest sporting icons after helping launch the J.League in 1993, earning the nickname ‘King Kazu’ thanks to his goalscoring exploits and lasting influence on Japanese football.
Despite approaching his 60th birthday, Miura has no plans to retire. The veteran recently extended his loan move to Fukushima United from Yokohama FC until June 2027, meaning he is set to embark on an incredible 42nd professional season.
Although he has remained under contract with Yokohama FC since joining the club in 2005, Miura has not featured in a competitive match for them since 2020.
Miura’s achievements extend far beyond club football. The prolific striker scored 55 goals in 89 appearances for Japan, cementing his place as one of the nation’s greatest-ever footballers.
Having previously spoken about his ambition to continue playing into his 60s, Miura’s latest goal is further proof that the evergreen forward still has plenty to offer, inspiring football fans around the world with his extraordinary longevity.