Record-breaking Japan footballer Kazuyoshi Miura still going strong at 58

Dubai: At 58, many contemplate retirement not from sport from their work life. But imagine playing a professional league at that age.

Japan's evergreen striker Kazuyoshi Miura who just doesn't seem to be ageing as he rewrote his own record as Japan Football League's oldest player at 58 years and 109 days playing for his 40th professional season for Atletico Suzuka on Sunday.

Former international Miura, fondly known as "King Kazu", came on as an 82nd-minute substitute for Atletico Suzuka Club on Sunday and helped them seal a 2-1 win over YSCC Yokohama in the Japan Football League.

Miura, one of Asia's best-known footballers in the 1990s, did not score but told reporters he was "glad I was able to contribute" after his cameo aged 58 years and 109 days.

"Thanks to help from my teammates and trainers, I've been able to make it this far. Now I want to raise my game even more," he said.

Nine appearances

Miura returned to Japan last year after two seasons with Portuguese second-division outfit Oliveirense, where he made nine appearances on loan from Yokohama FC.

"It's about what I've accumulated, so I have no special feeling about my age. I hope to play again showing my character," said Miura, who had returned from a leg injury suffered in January.

"I managed to play (today) thanks to the support from everyone. I'm looking to step up a gear from here," he added.

He made his debut in 1986 with Brazilian side Santos and has also played in Italy, Croatia and Australia.

The forward helped put football in Japan on the map when the professional J-League was launched in 1993.

He made his Japan debut in 1990 but was famously left out of the squad for their first World Cup finals appearance in 1998, despite scoring 55 goals in 89 games for the national side.