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Darshika Garg

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  • Published: Dec 30 2025 06:25 PM
  • Last Updated: Dec 30 2025 06:42 PM

Kazuyoshi Miura, world's oldest active footballer at 58, gears up for 41st season with Fukushima United. Discover King Kazu's epic career, fitness secrets, and why he defies age in pro soccer.



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Imagine a guy who started kicking a ball for money when your grandparents were kids. That's Kazuyoshi Miura, better known as King Kazu. At 58, he's not retiring—he's lacing up for his 41st year as a pro footballer.

Kazuyoshi Miura

Who is kazuyoshi miura

Born in Shizuoka, Japan on February 26, 1967, Miura demonstrated an affinity for soccer from a young age. At 15 years old, in 1982, he traveled alone to Brazil and signed with Santos, where he was trained by legendary player Pelé. Miura made his professional debut in 1986, and through training with Juventus SP, Palmeiras, and Coritiba, he developed the toughness and physicality of play that he would bring to the Japanese league when he returned to Japan in 1990.

King Kazu Joins Fukushima United

In early January 2022 it was reported that King Kazu would be again moving back into JPFA's Third Division on loan to Fukushima United FC, which was demoted from the Second to Third Division during the 2020-2021 season due to their poor performance. In his final season at Atletico Suzuka, King Kazu only appeared in 7 games but was able to show to everyone that he still has plenty of skill left (despite poor overall team success), just like in previous seasons. Kazu will be announcing the move on (Tuesday, January 11 at 11:11 AM), where he will follow through with the "lucky number" practice.

This loan move allows King Kazu to stay within Japan's footballing landscape. On February 26, he will turn 59 years old, yet Kazu continues to play as though he were only in his early 20s!

Kazuyoshi Miura

kazuyoshi miura Recent Seasons Breakdown

Let's dive deep into Miura's path since turning 50, year by year, to see his endurance.

Season

Age

Club

Appearances

Goals

Key Notes

2017

50

Yokohama FC

Limited

0

J.League push, fan favorite

2020

53

Yokohama FC

Few subs

0

Fitness tests tough, still active

2023

56

Oliveirense (Portugal)

9

0

European stint at 57

2024

57

Atletico Suzuka

Handful

0

Team relegated, Miura persists

2025

58

Fukushima United (loan?)

Upcoming

TBD

41st season milestone

Even in lower tiers, crowds flock. Suzuka's relegation didn't dim his spark—he's a symbol of sticking it out.

kazuyoshi miura Milestones That Stunned World

  • 1986: Pro debut with Santos, Brazil.
  • 1990: Japan debut, 55 goals total.
  • 1993: J.League MVP, first season.
  • 1994: Asia's first Serie A player (Genoa).
  • 2016: Scored at 49 in J.League.​
  • 2024: Played at 57 in fourth tier.​
  • 2025: 41st season at 58.

Each beat shattered age records. Guinness might need updates yearly.

Kazuyoshi Miura

kazuyoshi miura Global Football Adventures

After leaving Japan, Miura wasted no time and instead began finding new experiences in Italy. In 1994, a transfer from Genoa, represented Asia's largest transfer of a player to an existing European football giant Miura roman numeral four earned the nickname "Kazu" from the supporters at Genoa for his knack for darting through opposing defenders in excess of a thousand miles an hour.

After Italy, Miura played in Croatia for Dinamo Zagreb, Australia, Portugal for Oliveirense and back home to Japan.

In 2019, at 57, Miura played nine matches for Oliveirense, before he would move back home. Each of the aforementioned stops while building the body of work associated with being a footballer complemented his overall body of work created as a footballer . Every team that signed Miura did not only to sign him because he could score goals but also they could sign him for all the excitement he brought to their teams and leagues, his contribution, as he continued to defy time and age at 49 to score the first goal of 2011 season of Japanese J-League and creating a memorable moment for over 24 years as a player across five different continents in three different countries across the planet.

kazuyoshi miura Year-by-Year Career Path

Years

Age Range

Clubs & Leagues

Goals/Apps Highlights

Life Notes

1982-85

15-18

Brazil youth (Juventus-SP)

Skill-building

Solo adventure starts

1986-90

19-23

Santos, Palmeiras, Coritiba (Brazil)

4 goals/50+ apps

Pro foundation laid

1990-98

23-31

Verdy Kawasaki (J.League)

117/192

MVP, titles, fame peak

1999

32

Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia), Kyoto Sanga

21/41 Sanga

Euro test, steady scoring

2001-05

34-38

Vissel Kobe, Sydney FC loan

24/103 Kobe + 2/4 Sydney

Wanderlust phase ​

2005-22

38-55

Yokohama FC core

27/278 + records

Loyalty, oldest goals

2022-25

55-58

Suzuka, Oliveirense, Suzuka again

Minimal goals, key apps

Defying time ​

kazuyoshi miura Awards and Honors List

  • J.League MVP (1993)
  • Asian Cup MVP (1992)
  • Japan Footballer of the Year (3x)
  • Guinness records for oldest pro appearances
  • J.League 30th Anniversary Dream Team​

These nods highlight his role in elevating Asian football globally.

Kazuyoshi Miura

kazuyoshi miura Fitness Secrets Revealed

What is the key to playing sports professionally at the age of 58? According to Miura, it is his daily activity and routine that keeps him going. He starts each day with stretching, and does short instances of running and yoga to maintain flexibility. He eats a lot of fish and vegetables along with rice every day, which is part of his normal Japanese diet; he also incorporates some of the fresh fruits from Brazil that were part of his childhood diet.

Miura does not rely on any advanced technological tools to help him; he uses repetition as his tool of choice. "I want to continue to improve my skill level," he said. Recovery from workouts is done with the help of personal trainers, who assist Miura in taking ice baths or receiving massages following workouts. Genetics do have some influence, but Miura’s mental approach is a source of inspiration to all athletes, whether they are professionals or amateurs, because he trains like a professional every time he trains.

Kazuyoshi Miura: The Timeless Hero

When you think about Miura, realize that he is not just a player but a lesson on how to follow your passion, no matter where it leads you. Miura was 15 years old and quit school to pursue the opportunity to play soccer in Brazil; he was playing soccer again at the age of 58, having just played in his 41st professional season. There is no age limit when it comes to being passionate about something, and that is demonstrated by the thousands of fans in Tokyo, Japan, and Haryana, India, who come out to support him while he plays. Every time he touches the ball, the fans react as if this is the World Cup championship game.

Miura's smile after each game tells the whole story. Soccer was what saved him from all the scandals, rejections, and painful knees he has been through. Now Miura plays for, and mentors children as he plays for Atletico Suzuka while keeping an eye on the future of soccer in Fukushima, Japan. People like Miura do not fade away, but instead, they redefine what you can achieve, especially one goal at a time.

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FAQ

Miura started professionally in 1986 at age 19 with Santos in Brazil, after moving there alone at 15 to train with top youth teams like Juventus-SP and Palmeiras.​

He joined Verdy Kawasaki for the 1993 J.League launch, scoring 20 goals to win MVP and back-to-back titles, drawing huge crowds and popularizing soccer over baseball in Japan.​

In 1994, he became Asia's first Serie A player on loan to Genoa, scoring once and assisting in a key derby, earning the nickname "Kazu Veleno" for his sharp finishing.

From 1990-2000, he earned 89 caps with 55 goals—Japan's second-highest scorer—winning MVP at the 1992 Asian Cup and driving 1998 World Cup qualification, though he missed the finals.

Strict routines like daily yoga, fish-based diets, ice baths, and mental focus keep him sharp; he adapts by playing smarter, holding records for oldest pro appearances and goals.

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