Japanese football player Kazuyoshi Miura says he will play next season at age 58

Miura, widely listed as the oldest active professional football player, intends to play next season for his fourth-tier Japanese club, Suzuka.

Kazuyoshi Miura, a 57-year-old former forward of Japan’s national football team, at a press conference at National Stadium in Tokyo. | Photo Credit: AP

Japanese football player Kazuyoshi Miura is several generations older than his teammates. His contemporaries retired decades ago. Lionel Messi is 37, and Cristiano Ronaldo is 39 — mere youngsters compared to Miura.

Miura will turn 58 in February, and the Japanese news agency Kyodo reported this week that he intends to play next season for his fourth-tier Japanese club, Suzuka. It will be his 40th season playing in professional football.

Miura is widely listed as the oldest active professional football player.

He scored 55 goals in 89 appearances and was a star with Japan’s national team in the 1990s.

He has played professionally in Brazil, Italy, Croatia, Australia and Portugal. He made his debut in 1986 with the Brazilian club Santos, a side made famous by Brazilian star Pelé.