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Kazuyoshi Miura, the Japanese footballer made his official debut for Oliveirense in Portugal’s 2nd division. He made his new debut at the age of 56 on Saturday.
This is his 38th professional football season. The man is obviously avoiding spending time with his wife.
This weekend, the world’s oldest professional footballer lined up for his 15th club, and first in Portugal, more than three decades after beating Gary Lineker to a prestigious award.
Over 30 years have passed since Kazuyoshi Miura defeated Gary Lineker to win a prestigious award in Japan. This past weekend, he began a new chapter in his playing career.
The 56-year-old former Japan international made his Oliveirense debut in the Portuguese second division on Saturday. He joined Olivierense on loan from Yokohama FC, where he signed in 2005.
He started his professional career in Brazil with Santos in 1986, and as he nears 800 club appearances, his record-breaking career has brought him back to Europe.
Before the J-League was created in 1992, Miura left Brazil to play in Japan, defeating Lineker to the award for the division’s most valuable player after the England legend signed with Nagoya Grampus.
Miura has spent two stints in Europe with Genoa and Dinamo Zagreb. It is since he started making a brief trip back to Brazil in 1989. But he has also played for Verdy Kawasaki, Vissel Kobe, and his current parent club Yokohama FC in Japan, where he has amassed over 100 appearances.
He made an impression with the national team as well, tallying 55 goals in 89 games, including 13 during the 1994 FIFA World Cup qualifying.
Kazuyoshi Miura made debut for Oliveirense at age of 56
Miura also rose to prominence off the field, posing for photos with Pele and Mike Tyson, among others. He set Guinness World Record for being the oldest professional football player to score a goal in a competitive league.
He broke that record twice—first in 2016 at the age of 50 for King Kazu. And also most recently in November 2022 at the age of 55 years and 259 days he did the same. His total number of career goals has since surpassed 200.
With no signs of slowing down, Miura twice played on loan for his brother’s Suzuka Point Getters in the fourth tier of Japanese football in 2022 prior to his switch to Portugal.
Miura is still making history despite coming off the bench in their Liga Portugal 2 match against Academico de Viseu on Saturday (April 22).
The veteran announced his desire to continue playing after the transfer was official. He made promise to gain the respect of his new teammates.
Even though this was a new environment for him, he declared. “I’ll work hard to demonstrate to everyone the style of play I’m popular for,” he added.
