Japanese footballer becomes oldest player to debut in Portuguese football at 56

Yokohama FC’s Japanese striker Kazuyoshi Miura who is recognised as the world’s oldest goalscorer and oldest player currently playing in a professional league, gestures during J. League YBC Levain Cup soccer match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo in Sapporo, northern Japan August 12, 2020, in this photo taken by Kyodo. Kyodo/via REUTERS/File Photo

Former Japan striker Kazuyoshi Miura added yet another achievement to his age-defying career on Saturday, making his debut for Portuguese second-tier club Oliveirense at the age of 56.

Miura, who joined Oliveirense on loan from Yokohama FC earlier this year, came on in the 90th minute of a 4-1 win at Academico de Viseu.

According to a report on the Portuguese league’s website, Miura’s appearance made him “the oldest footballer ever to play in Portuguese football, with 56 years, one month and 24 days”.

Miura, who is in his 38th season of professional soccer, has played for a string of clubs across the world including Palmeiras, Genoa, Dinamo Zagreb and Vissel Kobe.

Portugal is the sixth country Miura, dubbed “King Kazu” by fans, has played in after starting his globe-trotting career with a spell at Brazil’s Santos in 1986.

He played 89 times for Japan, winning the Asian Cup in 1992, and is the country’s second-highest all-time scorer with 55 goals. His last international match was in 2000.

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