Miura, 59, breaks four-year goal drought in Emperor’s Cup victory

Kazuyoshi Miura, widely recognised as the world’s oldest professional footballer, has ended a nearly four-year wait for a competitive goal. The 59-year-old forward scored for Fukushima United in the Emperor’s Cup, marking a significant milestone in a career that spans over four decades.

Miura found the net in the 52nd minute of the match against Iwaki Furukawa. His goal contributed to a dominant 7-0 victory for Fukushima, a Japanese third-tier side. The strike was his first in competitive play since November 2022, when he scored for Suzuka PG, now known as Atletico Suzuka, against FC Osaka.

The goal signals the beginning of Miura’s 42nd professional season. He has extended his loan at Fukushima United from J2 League side Yokohama FC until June 2027. Although Miura signed with Yokohama FC in 2005, he has not played a minute for the club since 2020, with Fukushima serving as his primary competitive outlet in recent years.

Dubbed 'King Kazu' in Japan, Miura is a central figure in the nation’s sporting history. He was a prominent presence during the launch of the J League in 1993 and began his career with Brazilian side Santos in 1986. His international record includes 55 goals in 89 caps for Japan, with his final appearance for the national team occurring in 2000.

Miura’s career has taken him across multiple continents, including stints in Italy, Croatia, and Australia. He has previously stated his intention to continue playing into his 60s, and this latest performance reinforces his enduring status as a unique figure in global football.