Japan legend Miura, 59, scores first goal since 2022
Kazuyoshi Miura, the 59-year-old widely recognised as the world's oldest professional footballer, has scored his first goal in nearly four years while playing for Japanese third-tier side Fukushima United. The strike, netted during a comfortable Emperor's Cup win, is a notable milestone given his advanced age and his enduring status as one of Japan's most beloved sporting figures, known nationally as "King Kazu".
Miura found the net in the 52nd minute as Fukushima beat Iwaki Furukawa 7-0 on Saturday, with his goal making it 5-0 at the time. It was his first competitive goal since scoring for Suzuka PG (now Atletico Suzuka) in November 2022. Miura began his career at Brazil's Santos in 1986 and has also played in Italy, Croatia and Australia, scoring 55 goals in 89 appearances for Japan. He has now extended his loan at Fukushima from J2 side Yokohama FC until June 2027, taking his career into a 42nd season.
- Miura, 59, scored his first goal since November 2022
- The strike came in Fukushima's 7-0 Emperor's Cup win
- He's extended his Fukushima loan until June 2027, a 42nd season
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Kazuyoshi Miura is a Japanese footballer who has become a cultural icon in his home country. Known nationally as "King Kazu", he is widely recognised as the world's oldest professional footballer still playing the game competitively at age 59, which in itself is an extraordinary achievement in a sport where most careers end by the early 30s.
Miura enjoyed a celebrated playing career that began in 1986 at Brazil's Santos and took him to Italy, Croatia and Australia as well as Japan. He represented Japan 89 times, scoring 55 goals, and is regarded as one of the country's most influential footballers, having helped shape modern Japanese football during his long career.
He currently plays for Fukushima United, a third-tier Japanese side, on loan from Yokohama FC. His decision to continue playing at such an advanced age has made him a source of fascination and inspiration in Japan, where his career has now extended into its 42nd season.