He will continue to be a professional footballer beyond his 52nd birthday.
Legendary Japanese footballer Kazuyoshi Miura is still not ready to call time on his playing days after signing an extended contract at Yokohama FC.
51-year-old Miura retired from international football in 2000 after scoring 55 goals in 89 games for Japan. He joined Yokohama as a 38-year-old five years later.
Though many would’ve expected him to have called time on his playing days within one or two seasons of making that move, he’s now confirmed that he’s done enough to earn himself a new deal – enough to take his professional career into a 34th season.
“I updated the contract for the 2019 season,” Miura said. “Thanks to everyone who always supports. I am grateful to everyone.
“I will participate in many matches in one game, I will not waste it for one minute, one second. I think that I want to go face to face with football and go to daily training with maximum power.”
#横浜FC は #三浦知良 選手との
2019シーズンの契約を更新‼️リーグ戦でゴールを決めた最年長のプロサッカー選手として、
ギネス世界記録にも登録されている #キングカズ 🔥今シーズンも更なる記録更新に期待💪#Ｊリーグ@yokohama_fc pic.twitter.com/xO0tWa3E4A
— Ｊリーグ（日本プロサッカーリーグ） (@J_League) January 11, 2019
Miura holds the record as the oldest professional footballer to score a goal, taking the title from Stanley Matthews in 2017.
He began his professional career in Brazil with Santos, eventually leaving the country for his homeland in 1990 and taking part in the first ever J.League season three years later.
His lengthy career has also seen him play in Italy, Croatia and Australia.
