Football Legend ‘King Kazu’ Marks First Appearance In Remarkable 40th Season

‎Japan’s Kazuyoshi “King Kazu” Miura debuted for his first time in his 40th season as a professional footballer over the weekend, demonstrating no intention of retiring anytime soon.

‎The former international forward, who turned 58 in February, came on as a late substitute in Atletico Suzuka’s 2-1 win over YSCC Yokohama on Sunday.

‎He had signed an 18-month loan deal with Suzuka last June.

‎However, a leg injury in January kept him out of the start of this season in the Japan Football League.

‎”I hope to play again, showing my character,” Miura told Kyodo News Agency after the match.

‎”I managed to play thanks to the support from everyone. I’m looking to step up a gear from here.”

‎Miura made his first two appearances for Santos in the 1986 Brazilian Championship, having headed alone to South America to pursue his football dream as a 15-year-old.

‎He returned to Japan as an established international to join Verdy Kawasaki, helping them secure the inaugural two J.League titles in 1993 and 1994.

‎Miura scored 55 goals in 89 appearances for Japan, with his final national team appearance coming in 2000.

‎His extensive club career has also included stints in Italy, Croatia, Australia, and Portugal, but he still trails Egyptian Ezzeldin Bahader’s record of playing for a professional team at the age of 74.

‎Given his commitment to the game, however, it might be foolish to write him off.

‎”When I was around 35 or 40, I did start saying to myself, ‘I can’t keep playing this way’,” he told FIFA.com in April.

‎”Rather than giving any thought to quitting, it was more about pushing myself to give more. It’s not so much that the word ‘retire’ isn’t in my vocabulary, but more that I’ve never felt any desire to do it.”