Kazuyoshi Miura
Who was Kazuyoshi Miura?
Japanese striker known as 'King Kazu' who became the oldest professional footballer to score a goal at age 50 and has played professionally for over four decades.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Kazuyoshi Miura (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Kazuyoshi Miura, known as 'King Kazu,' was born on February 26, 1967, in Shizuoka, Japan. He has become one of the most respected figures in world football, holding several records for his long career in the sport. Miura currently plays as a forward for J3 League club Fukushima United, on loan from J2 League club Yokohama FC. At 59, he is the world's oldest active professional footballer.
His international career lasted from 1990 to 2000, during which he earned 89 caps for the Japan national team and scored 55 goals. This achievement makes him the second-highest goalscorer in Japanese national team history, behind Kunishige Kamamoto. He was the first Japanese player to receive the IFFHS Asia's Footballer of the Year award, highlighting his role as a trailblazer for Japanese football internationally.
Throughout his amazing career, the striker has set numerous age-related records. At 50, he became the oldest goalscorer in J-League history, and he holds the world record for the longest professional football career, spanning five decades from the 1980s to the 2020s. This makes him not just a football legend but also a cultural phenomenon in Japan and worldwide.
Miura is married to Risako Miura, and football runs in his family, as his elder brother Yasutoshi is also a former professional footballer. Despite his age, Miura continues to play professionally, challenging typical ideas about the length of athletic careers and inspiring athletes in every sport. His commitment to staying in top physical shape and his love for the game have allowed him to keep playing far beyond the usual retirement age for professional footballers.
Before Fame
Growing up in Shizuoka in the late 1960s and 1970s, Miura started his career at a time when Japanese football was still forming its professional scene. The J-League wouldn't start until 1993, so early Japanese players didn't have many chances to turn pro at home. Because of this, ambitious players often looked abroad to sharpen their skills and gain professional experience.
Miura rose to prominence during a time when Asian football was changing, with players from the region starting to make an impact internationally. His early career matched Japan's increasing interest in football and the nation's efforts to become a serious football contender, paving the way for him to become a pathfinder for Japanese players worldwide.
Key Achievements
- Second-highest goalscorer in Japan national team history with 55 goals in 89 appearances
- First Japanese recipient of IFFHS Asia's Footballer of the Year award
- Oldest professional footballer in the world and oldest J-League goalscorer at age 50
- Holder of the world record for longest professional football career spanning five decades
- Represented Japan nationally for ten years from 1990 to 2000
Did You Know?
- 01.He is the only footballer to have played professionally in five separate decades (1980s through 2020s)
- 02.His brother Yasutoshi is also a former professional footballer
- 03.He was the first Japanese player to win the IFFHS Asia's Footballer of the Year award
- 04.At age 50, he became the oldest player ever to score a goal in J-League history
- 05.He holds 89 international caps for Japan, spanning exactly one decade from 1990 to 2000