Japanese football legend ‘King Kazu’, 59, scores first goal in four years

What the report says

Al Jazeera, citing Reuters, reported that Japanese football veteran Kazuyoshi Miura scored his first competitive goal in almost four years at age 59. Miura, widely known as “King Kazu” and described in the report as the world’s oldest professional footballer, scored in the 52nd minute for Fukushima United on Saturday as the J-League third-division club beat Iwaki Furukawa 7-0 in the Emperor’s Cup.

The goal triggered celebrations from Fukushima players on the field and on the bench, according to the report. Miura was substituted three minutes later. His previous competitive goal came in November 2022 for Suzuka PG, now Atletico Suzuka, in a Japan Football League match against FC Osaka.

Miura joined Fukushima United from Yokohama FC in December and had made six appearances in a shortened 2026 campaign. Al Jazeera reported that he extended his loan with the club through June 2027, setting him up for what would be a 42nd professional season.

The milestone adds to one of football’s longest careers and comes as Japan’s professional leagues prepare to move from a spring-to-autumn season to an autumn-to-spring calendar. Based on the report, that shift means Miura could still be under contract as a professional after turning 60. The article also noted his continued appeal to supporters in Japan and overseas, and said he has previously stated he does not plan to retire before reaching 60.