'King Kazu' makes history: Kazuyoshi Miura scores at 59 in his 41st professional season

Kazuyoshi Miura, the legendary Japanese footballer nicknamed "King Kazu," has once again defied expectations by scoring a goal at the remarkable age of 59. The veteran striker found the net in his Fukushima United team's dominant 7-0 victory over Iwaki Furukawa FC in a regional tournament match, securing their spot in the Emperor's Cup.

This goal marks Miura's first in four years and occurs during his 41st professional season, a testament to his enduring career. The grey-haired attacker, who started his professional journey at Brazilian club Santos, has played across numerous countries including Italy, Croatia, Australia, and Portugal. He has been a significant figure in the growth of the J-League since its inception in 1993.

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It was a bit chaotic but what counts is that I was in the right place, I think I was well-positioned.

Miura, who debuted for the Japanese national team in the 1990s and scored 55 goals in 89 appearances, reflected on the moment. "It was a bit chaotic but what counts is that I was in the right place, I think I was well-positioned," he stated. He also conveyed his gratitude to the coach for the opportunity and his joy in seeing the team, staff, and fans celebrate the goal, even with a substantial lead.

Despite his prolific international career, Miura was notably excluded from Japan's 1998 World Cup squad, a tournament that marked the nation's first appearance in the finals. His continued presence and scoring ability at his age underscore a unique and enduring legacy in professional football.

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I wanted to live up to expectations, especially those of the coach, who has let me play. I was above all happy to see that even with our lead on the scoreboard, the players, coaching staff and fans celebrated the goal.