Kazuyoshi Miura, the world’s oldest active professional footballer, scored at age 59 for Japanese third-tier side Fukushima United, netting his first goal in almost four years.
He struck in the 52nd minute to make it 5-0 in an eventual 7-0 Emperor’s Cup win over Iwaki Furukawa on Saturday. It was his first competitive goal since November 2022, when he scored for Suzuka PG (now Atletico Suzuka) against FC Osaka.
Nicknamed “King Kazu,” Miura became a national icon and the face of the J League when it launched in 1993. He began his career with Brazil’s Santos in 1986 and has also played club football in Italy, Croatia, and Australia.
His remarkable career will enter a 42nd season after he extended his loan at Fukushima from J2 side Yokohama FC through June 2027. Miura joined Yokohama in 2005 but has not featured for them since 2020.
For Japan, he scored 55 goals in 89 appearances and has previously said he hopes to keep playing into his 60s: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66171076