Japanese football icon Kazuyoshi Miura has once again proven that age is just a number, as the 59-year-old scored his first competitive goal in nearly four years.

The world's oldest professional footballer, affectionately known as 'King Kazu', struck in the 52nd minute for Fukushima United on Saturday, as the J3 League side thrashed Iwaki Furukawa 7-0 to advance in the Emperor's Cup.

The goal sparked celebrations among teammates on the pitch and the bench before the veteran forward was substituted three minutes later.

It was Miura's first competitive goal since November 2022, when he scored for Suzuka PG (now Atletico Suzuka) in a Japan Football League defeat by FC Osaka.

The former Japan international is preparing for a remarkable 42nd season as a professional after extending his loan spell with third-tier Fukushima United until June 2027.

Miura joined the club from Yokohama FC in December and made six appearances during a shortened 2026 campaign. With Japan's professional leagues set to switch from a spring-to-autumn to an autumn-to-spring schedule, Miura will enter his 60s still playing professionally.

Miura has previously insisted he will not hang up his boots until he turns 60, and he continues to be a massive draw for fans in Japan and abroad.

Source: www.aljazeera.com