Japan’s golden oldie ‘King Kazu’ eager to play on at 54, despite being on pitch for just one minute for Yokohama FC in J-League’s top division
- Kazuyoshi Mira extended his extended his record as Japan’s oldest footballer this year
- Mira is weighing up offers from fourth-tier sides and says he wants to play until he’s 60
Evergreen Japanese football star Kazuyoshi Miura said he “still has the passion” to continue his career at 54, local media reported on Monday, with contract offers still coming his way.
Miura, known as “King Kazu”, extended his record as Japan’s oldest footballer this year, turning out for Yokohama FC in the J-League’s top division.
But the veteran’s contribution was minimal, managing only one minute of league action all season as his side finished bottom of the table.
Now he is considering a new challenge, with offers from two fourth-tier teams reportedly on the table.
Miura said Yokohama FC has also offered him another contract extension, but he is determined to sign for a team “with a clear vision”.
“I’ve been saying for the past 10 years that if there’s a team that wants me and needs me, I’ll go regardless of what division they’re in, and that hasn’t changed,” the Nikkan Sports daily reported Miura as saying in Osaka, where he is training to keep in shape.
“As long as I still have the passion, of course I want to go for it<�‘ he said.
“I still have the passion.”