Japan legend Miura, 59, scores first goal since 2022

What the report says

BBC Sport reported that Kazuyoshi Miura, widely known as the world’s oldest professional footballer, has scored his first competitive goal since 2022. The 59-year-old forward was on target for Fukushima United, a Japanese third-tier club, in an Emperor’s Cup match on Saturday.

According to the BBC, Miura scored in the 52nd minute, putting Fukushima 5-0 ahead on the way to a 7-0 victory over Iwaki Furukawa. It was his first goal in a competitive fixture since November 2022, when he scored for Suzuka PG, the club now known as Atletico Suzuka, against FC Osaka.

Miura, nicknamed “King Kazu” in Japan, remains one of the country’s most recognisable football figures. He was a leading face of the J League when it began in 1993 and previously scored 55 goals in 89 appearances for Japan, with his final international cap coming in 2000. His club career began with Santos in Brazil in 1986, and he has also played in Italy, Croatia and Australia.

The goal adds another milestone to an unusually long playing career that is set to continue into a 42nd season. BBC Sport reported that Miura has extended his loan at Fukushima from J2 League club Yokohama FC until June 2027. He joined Yokohama in 2005 but has not appeared for them since 2020, and has previously spoken about wanting to keep playing into his 60s.