Japan football great ‘King Kazu’ Miura, 59, scores first competitive goal for four years
Japanese football veteran Kazuyoshi Miura, known as "King Kazu", scored his first competitive goal in almost four years on Saturday at the age of 59, helping third-tier club Fukushima United thrash Iwaki Furukawa 7-0 in the Emperor's Cup. The strike underlines the extraordinary longevity of Miura's playing career, which is now heading into a remarkable 42nd professional season and shows no sign of ending as he approaches his 60th birthday.
Miura netted in the 52nd minute, aged 59 years and 149 days, converting a teammate's cutback with a first-time finish to make it 5-0 before being substituted three minutes later. It was his first competitive goal since November 2022, when he scored for Suzuka PG (now Atletico Suzuka). He joined Fukushima United on loan from Yokohama FC in December and has recently extended that loan until June 2027, meaning he will continue playing professionally into his 60s as Japan's leagues switch to an autumn-to-spring calendar.
- Kazuyoshi Miura, 59, scores first competitive goal in nearly four years
- Fukushima United beat Iwaki Furukawa 7-0 in the Emperor's Cup
- "King Kazu" extends loan, set for 42nd season as a pro
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Kazuyoshi Miura is one of Japan's greatest footballers, known as "King Kazu", and has been a professional for over four decades. He is regarded as a legendary figure in Japanese football who helped raise the profile of the sport in his country.
Professional footballers typically retire by their 30s, which makes Miura's continued play at nearly 60 highly unusual. His ability to maintain a professional career well into his sixth decade stands out significantly from what is typical for elite athletes.
Miura currently plays in Japan's third-tier division and has recently extended his contract with his current club. His decision to continue as a professional footballer into his 60s underscores how his career has followed an unusual path compared to most of his peers.