Former Japan striker Kazuyoshi Miura on Saturday added yet another achievement to his age-defying career, making his debut for Portuguese second-tier club UD Oliveirense at the age of 56.
Miura, who joined Oliveirense on loan from Yokohama earlier this year, came on in the 90th minute of a 4-1 win at Academico de Viseu.
Liga Portugal 2’s Web site said that Miura’s appearance made him “the oldest footballer ever to play in Portuguese football, with 56 years, one month and 24 days.”
Photo: Reuters
He is also the oldest professional soccer player in the world.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Miura, who is in his 38th season of professional soccer, has played for a string of clubs across the world including Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras, Genoa CFC, GNK Dinamo Zagreb and Vissel Kobe.
Portugal is the sixth country Miura, dubbed “King Kazu” by fans, has played in after beginning his globe-trotting career with a spell at Brazil’s Santos in 1986.
He played 89 times for Japan, winning the AFC Asian Cup in 1992, and is the country’s second-highest all-time scorer with 55 goals.
His last international match was in 2000.
Additional reporting by staff writer
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