Japan great Kazuyoshi Miura sets latest oldest appearance record at 59

Kazuyoshi Miura set another J.League record at the age of 59 years, eight months and 12 days as he became the oldest player to ever feature in Japan’s third-tier.

The former Japan international was introduced as a substitute late in Fukushima United’s 4-1 home win over FC Ryukyu.

Miura, affectionately known as “King Kazu”, extended his own J.League record in a career that has now entered its 42nd season.

The striker had not played in a league match since 2021, when he made a single appearance in Japan’s top flight for parent club Yokohama FC.

He did play six times last season in a shortened special tournament held under the split-season format, although those matches were not classified as official league games.

Miura has continued playing professionally across five decades.

His wait for a competitive goal ended in July, when he scored in the Emperor’s Cup following a near four-year drought.