Kazuyoshi Miura: Record-Breaking Oldest Active Soccer Player

Kazuyoshi Miura, commonly known as Kazu, is a Japanese soccer player who has made a significant impact on the sport. He is one of the most iconic and legendary players in Japanese football history, breaking records and setting benchmarks in his career that spanned over four decades. In this article, we will take a closer look at the oldest active soccer player Kazuyoshi Miura, his early career, the journey from Brazil to Japan, his accomplishments, and his legacy in professional football.

You also want to read:

  • Oldest soccer players in the world (updated list)

Who is Kazu Miura soccer player?

kazuyoshi-miura-oldest-soccer-player
Full name: Kazuyoshi Miura
Date of Birth: 26th February 1967
Place of Birth: Suzuka, Japan
Height: 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Current club: Suzuka Points Getter
Position: Forward

Kazuyoshi Miura, simply known as Kazu, was born on February 26, 1967, in Shizuoka, Japan. Born into a family with a father who was also a soccer player for the Japanese national team, Miura started playing soccer at a young age and quickly developed a passion for the game. He started playing football in elementary school and quickly became a standout player.

Football Career

Kazu’s football career spans over three decades, and he has played for various clubs and the Japanese National Team. Let’s take a look at his club career first.

Club Career

King Kazu’s club career is impressive, with stints at several top clubs in Japan and Europe. He has played for numerous clubs throughout his career, including Verdy Kawasaki, Genoa, and Yokohama FC.

In 1982, at the age of fifteen, Kazu left Shizuoka Gakuen High School after less than a year and traveled alone to Brazil to pursue his dream of becoming a professional footballer. Despite several challenges regarding language barriers, cultural differences, and homesickness, he remained determined and focused on his football career, and the result paid off.

Move to Brazil and Professional Debut

kazu-miura-playing-for-santos
Kazu (left) playing for Santos

Kazu Miura’s time in Brazil was a turning point in his career. In 1986, the aspiring professional player made his professional debut for Santos, becoming the first Japanese player to play in Brazil’s top-flight league.

During his time in Brazil, he also played for several Brazilian clubs, including Palmeiras, and Coritiba, and quickly became a star player. Kazu’s talent and skill on the field earned him a reputation as one of the best young players in Brazilian football.

Verdy Kawasaki (1990-1998)

king-kazu-verdy-kawasaki

Kazu returned to Japan in 1990 and joined the Japan Soccer League (JSL) side Yomiuri SC. The club later spun off from its parent company Yomiuri Shinbun and became Verdy Kawasaki with the launch of the J1 League in 1993.

With Verdy Kawasaki, Kazu won four consecutive league titles playing alongside fellow Japanese national team regulars Ruy Ramos and Tsuyoshi Kitazawa. He was named the first J.League Most Valuable Player in 1993 and his success made him a national hero and a household name.

Loan to Genoa

Kazu Miura became the first Japanese footballer to play in Italy when he joined Genoa in the 1994-95 Serie A season. He was also considered the first Serie A Japanese player in Italy.

King Kazu played 21 times and scored one goal during his Italian stint, which came during the Genoa derby against Sampdoria. On 15 January 1994, he assisted Antonio Manicone’s match-winning goal against Padova. The Japanese forward returned to Verdy Kawasaki for the 1995 season and played with them until the end of the 1998 season.

Dinamo Zagreb (1999)

Kazu Miura made another attempt at playing in Europe by joining Croatia’s Dinamo Zagreb. He played there for one season and scored seven goals in 16 appearances for the club, helping them win the Croatian Cup.

Yokohama FC (2005 – 2021)

miura-kazuyoshi-yokohama-fc

In 2005, Kazu Miura returned to Japan to play for Yokohama FC, a newly formed club in the J-League. He played a pivotal role in the team’s promotion to J2 League and later helped them gain promotion to J1 League. At the age of 48, the Japanese forward became the oldest professional footballer to score a goal in a professional league match in 2017.

Suzuka Point Getters (2021 – now)

After his contract with Yokohama expired, Miura reached an agreement to join the Suzuka Point Getters in the Japan Football League (JFL), the fourth tier of Japanese football. At 55, he made his debut for the Point Getters in the first round of the Japan Football League on 13 March 2022.

Miura’s presence at the club brought many curious spectators to see him in action, leading to the Point Getters having featured in nine of the ten matches with the highest attendance numbers throughout the 2022 season. A total of 4,620 spectators watched his debut, which is the highest attendance at a Suzuka home match, breaking their previous record of 1,308 spectators in 2019.

Watch this video on how good form King Kazu was in at 55:

Return to Europe

On 26 January 2023, U.D. Oliveirense announced that King Kazu would be playing for the Liga Portugal 2 club for the rest of the season.

At 55 years and 11 months old, Kazuyoshi Miura became by a large margin the oldest professional player to ever sign a professional contract for any professional ball sports team in Portugal since volleyball player Miguel Maia renewed his contract with Sporting Clube de Portugal volleyball team in 2018, after winning the top-level title at 47 years of age.

International career

king-kazu-international-team

Kazu also had a successful international career, representing Japan in three World Cup tournaments (1998, 2002, and 2006) and Futsal World Cup (2012).

Japanese national team

Kazu Miura played as a forward for the Japanese national team from 1990 to 2000. In 1997, he led the Samurai Blue to their first-ever World Cup finals by scoring fourteen times during the qualification for the 1998 World Cup.

Japan futsal team

In 2012, Miura made his debut for the Japan futsal team in a 3–3 draw against Brazil at 45. He played in the 2012 Futsal World Cup, appearing in all four matches for Japan but failing to score as the Japanese were knocked out by Ukraine in the round of 16.

Awards and Achievements

king-kazu-miura-achievements

Kazu Miura’s career is full of records and achievements. He is the oldest professional footballer to score a competitive goal, the oldest player to appear in a J-League match, and the oldest player to sign a professional contract (at the age of 54).

Additionally, he has scored a total of 55 goals in 89 appearances for the national team, making him the all-time top scorer in Japan.

With Teams

List of Kazu’s notable achievements with different teams:

  • Verdy Kawasaki: JSL Cup (1987), Emperor’s Cup (1990, 1991), J.League Cup (1992, 1993), Asian Cup Winners’ Cup (1992-1993), Asian Super Cup (1993)
  • Genoa: Serie B promotion (1994)
  • Dinamo Zagreb: Prva HNL (1995)
  • Vissel Kobe: Emperor’s Cup (2000), J.League Cup (2000), J.League Division 2 (2006)
  • Yokohama FC: J.League Division 2 (2019)
  • Japan: AFC Asian Cup (1992), Afro-Asian Cup of Nations (1993)

Individual Honors

Miura has won several individual honors, including the J.League Best Eleven Award four times and the J.League MVP award once. He was also named the Asian Footballer of the Year in 1993.

Kazu’s notable individual achievements include:

  • J.League Best Eleven (1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2003)
  • J.League MVP (1993)
  • J.League Top Scorer (1993, 1994)
  • Asian Footballer of the Year (1993)
  • Japan Professional Sports Grand Prize (1993)

Notable records

  1. Oldest professional footballer (2017): At the age of 50 years and 7 days, Miura signed a new contract with Yokohama FC, making him the oldest professional footballer to play a competitive match.
  2. Oldest goalscorer in professional football (2019): At the age of 52 years and 126 days, Miura scored a goal for Yokohama FC in a J2 League match, making him the oldest goalscorer in professional football history.
  3. Most seasons played in professional football: Miura has played professional football for over 35 seasons, which is a record in the sport.
  4. Most appearances in the J.League: Miura has made over 350 appearances in the J.League, which is the most by any player in the league’s history.
  5. Top scorer in the Japan Soccer League: Miura was the top scorer in the Japan Soccer League in 1990 and 1991, scoring 14 and 21 goals respectively.

Legacy and Impact on Japanese Football

kazuyoshi-miura-impact

Kazuyoshi Miura’s impact on Japanese football cannot be overstated. He is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of Japanese football and a role model for future generations of players. Kazu’s success and longevity have inspired many young players in Japan to pursue their football dreams and strive for excellence.

Kazu has also played a significant role in promoting Japanese football globally. He has helped to raise the profile of Japanese football and has shown that Japanese players can compete at the highest level of the sport.

In addition, Miura’s determination and passion for the game have made him a beloved figure in Japanese football and a true inspiration to aspiring players around the world. While soccer players have to face many challenges and setbacks in the journey to become a pro, he has always persevered and been determined.

“My feelings towards soccer and my aspirations that I want to have success in soccer haven’t changed since I became a professional player in Brazil in 1986. The passion has not changed either.”

– Kazuyoshi Miura

How many goals Kazuyoshi Miura has scored?

how-many-goals-has-kazu-miura-scored

As of April 2023, Kazuyoshi Miura has scored a total of 221 goals in his professional career.

Is Kazuyoshi Miura still playing?

Yes, Kazuyoshi Miura is still playing football at the age of 56. He currently plays for Suzuka Point Getters in Japan’s J3 League. However, he has announced that he will retire at the end of the 2023 season, which will mark his 35th year as a professional footballer.

Conclusion

Kazuyoshi Miura is a legendary football player who has made a significant impact on Japanese football. His remarkable career spanned over four decades, and he has broken several records and set new benchmarks in the sport. Kazu’s success and longevity have inspired many young players in Japan to pursue their football dreams, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of players.

For more interesting article on world-class soccer players, kindly check out ASC Football.

The post Kazuyoshi Miura: Record-Breaking Oldest Active Soccer Player appeared first on ASC Soccer Coaching and Training.



source https://ascfootball.net/kazuyoshi-miura-soccer-player/

Nhận xét

Đăng nhận xét

Bài đăng phổ biến từ blog này

How to Play Right Back Soccer Position – A Complete Guide

Hình ảnh
Right back soccer , also known as the right fullback position, plays a vital role in the beautiful game. While often overshadowed by their more glamorous teammates, the right back serves as an unsung hero, contributing both defensively and offensively. In this article, we will explore the responsibilities, skills, and strategies associated with the right back position, along with notable players who have excelled in this role. Whether you’re a fan, a coach, or a player aspiring to be the best right back, this article will provide you with valuable insights. What is a right back in soccer The right back (RB) position is located on the defensive line, typically on the right side of the field, opposite the left back. The primary responsibility of a right back is to defend against opposing wingers and provide support to the midfield and attack from the right flank. They are often involved in overlapping runs, crosses, and contributing to offensive plays. In the modern game, right backs...
Đọc thêm

La Croqueta Soccer Move: How to Play Like Andres Iniesta!

Hình ảnh
The La Croqueta move in soccer, which was made famous by the renowned player Andres Iniesta, involves the use of fast footwork and agility to outmaneuver multiple opponents. In this article, we will delve deeper into this impressive skill and how to do La Croqueta soccer move . What is the La Croqueta soccer move? The La Croqueta soccer move is a dribbling technique used to trick the opponent into thinking the player will move in one direction, then quickly change direction to move the ball in the opposite direction. The player uses one foot to push the ball to one side and then quickly pulls it back with the other foot, creating a crisscross motion. The move is often used to get past defenders and create scoring opportunities in tight situations. To execute this soccer technique effectively, you must possess agility, be nimble, and have the ability to generate sufficient force to surpass opposing defenders after completing the initial ball handling. Origins of La Croqueta move in...
Đọc thêm

What is A False 9 in Soccer: Definition and Role in Modern Football

Hình ảnh
If you are a soccer enthusiast, you may have heard of the term “False 9” or “Fake 9” position in soccer. This term has become increasingly popular in the world of soccer over the last decade. In this article, we will explore what is a False 9 in soccer , its history, its tactical significance and its role in modern football. In modern soccer, teams are constantly looking for new ways to innovate and surprise their opponents. One such innovation is the False 9 position. It is a tactic that involves the center forward dropping deep into midfield to create space and unsettle the opposition’s defense. What is a False 9? A False 9 (F9) is a soccer position where a center forward drops deep into the midfield, creating space for the wingers and attacking midfielders to exploit. The False 9 acts as a false target for the opposition’s defense, forcing them to come out of their shape to press the player in possession. This creates gaps in the defense that can be exploited by the attacking pl...
Đọc thêm