Kazuyoshi Miura Sets Record at 58, Still Playing Professional Football

On June 16, 2025, Japanese football witnessed a historic moment: Kazuyoshi Miura, famously known across Asia as "King Kazu," continued to etch his legendary legacy by stepping onto the pitch to play professional football at the age of 58 years and 109 days.

Playing for Atletico Suzuka, Miura entered the match in the 82nd minute against YSCC Yokohama, officially becoming the oldest player to ever play in Japan’s professional football leagues.

At an age where most people have taken up roles as coaches, pundits, or have long retired, Miura is still running on the field.

In this fourth-division Japanese match, Miura was handed the captain’s armband when he came on. He didn’t need to score or assist—his very presence was enough to fill the stadium with excitement and set social media abuzz.

Atletico Suzuka won the match 2-1, but what left the biggest impression was the sight of the skinny No. 11 with graying hair stepping onto the pitch. He received loud applause from fans, teammates, and even opponents. After the match, Miura calmly said:

“I don’t think too much about age. What matters is collecting points. I know what I need to do and believe I can go even further from here.”

Miura began his professional football career in 1986—nearly 40 years ago. At the age of 15, he left Japan alone to chase his football dreams in Brazil. It wasn’t just a bold move; it reflected a deep belief in his future.

He made his debut for Santos, the club where legend Pelé once played, and went on to play for several Brazilian teams including Palmeiras and Coritiba. When he returned to Japan in 1990, Miura quickly became a sensation.

In 1993, he was named Player of the Year in the inaugural season of the J-League, Japan's professional football championship, while playing for Verdy Kawasaki.

Miura didn’t stop there. He became the first Japanese player to play in Serie A (Italy) when he joined Genoa for the 1994–1995 season. His career also took him to Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia), Vissel Kobe, Kyoto Sanga, and even Sydney FC in Australia.

At the international level, Miura scored 55 goals in 89 appearances for Japan—second only to the legendary Kunishige Kamamoto (75 goals in 76 matches). However, the one regret that still lingers in Miura’s career is being left out of Japan’s squad for the 1998 FIFA World Cup—the country’s first appearance on football’s biggest stage—a decision still viewed as controversial to this day.

No one can play professional football for four decades on determination alone. Miura has maintained his physical strength through strict training, daily discipline, and an unshakable fighting spirit.

Over the past ten years, he has continued to break his own records: oldest player to appear in a match, oldest to score a goal, and the longest professional football career in history.

When asked why he hasn’t retired yet, he smiled and said:

“Because I still feel happy when I train. I still get excited when I put on the jersey. Football has given me everything, and I will continue to play as long as my legs can run.”

The fact that Miura—a 58-year-old veteran—is still playing isn’t just a source of spiritual support for younger players. It’s also a testament to how Japanese football honors enduring values.

Atletico Suzuka knows that a player nearing 60 won’t score 10 goals per season, but they still value him as an irreplaceable icon.

Miura may no longer be on the scoresheet, but his name is always mentioned when people talk about dedication, loyalty, and love for the game.

In an era where football careers are getting shorter, and rising stars fade as quickly as they appear, Miura stands out—a man who refuses to fade away. For him, every minute on the pitch matters, even if he doesn't score a single goal.

Someday, Kazuyoshi Miura may finally hang up his boots. But even when he’s no longer playing, the Japanese—and global—football community will forever remember the name "King Kazu"—a man who achieved what no one dared to imagine: living the football dream for nearly a lifetime.