The Japanese striker is a professional on whom the years have no impact. This 50-year-old football player has just signed a contract in a second division championship in Portugal.
This is the story of a footballer like no other. Kazuyoshi Miura is a real star in Japan: he owes his fame to his performances on the pitch, but also because he is cited as the source of inspiration for a famous football cartoon, well known to children born in the 1980s. 1980: Olive and Tom.
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This player, born in 1967, should have retired, but he is still active. Even better: at 55, this player has become the oldest football professional since he signed for Oliveirense, a Portuguese second division club.
This player with incredible longevity began football in 1973: he was then recruited in 1986 by the Brazilian club Santos, Pelé’s favorite club. The Japanese stayed four seasons in Brazil, in different clubs. And so many matches that did not go unnoticed at home. In 1990, back home, Kazuyoshi Miura was already considered a legend.
A round ball globetrotter
For his return to Japan, at Verdy Kawazaki, he scored 133 goals in 239 games. With his performances in the field, and also thanks to the success of the anime Olive and Tom, it becomes a real phenomenon. In Japanese discotheques, we dance the Kazu Dance, inspired by the celebrations of the goals of the player, who is also called up for the national team. He will play 89 games with the Samurai Blue for 55 goals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO5usgE3JZw
Inevitably, European football looked at it closely: he was then transferred to Italy, to Genoa in 1994, then to Croatia, to Zagreb in 1998. He was then 38 years old. And so many professional players stop at this age, Kazuyoshi Miura continues. He will continue his destiny in Australia for a final season in 2005. He then hangs up his crampons for 17 seasons… until 2022, when he signs his return to Suzuka, before this rebound in Portugal. And he now seems the only one to put an end to his football dream.