Kazu Miura renews his contract, on the pitch at 58 years old

Tokyo, January 14 – Twenty-two years after You can still have fun playing top-level football, and not even think about quitting. Kazu Miura, a Japanese football legend who has also been seen in Italy wearing the Genoa jersey, will continue to play for at least another season. The Japanese striker born in 1967 has in fact signed a contract renewal with Atletico Suzuka, a fourth division club. At the time of his professional debut, Miura was 19 years old. It was 1986, and he was wearing the jersey of Brazilian club Santos. A lifetime ago. On February 28, he will turn 58, approaching his 40th season among the "big boys". The record he has held since 2018 has therefore been improved: he will remain the longest-serving active player in the history of professional football. "I would like to make available my experience and working alongside all my supporters'', the player said in a statement published on social media by Atletico Suzuka. ''I thank the club for the opportunity, I will do my best to achieve the best results. Thank you for your continued support'' is written alongside the photo, with his unmistakable smile printed on his face. Miura also moved from Serie A. Becoming, among other things, the first Japanese in the history of Italian football. It was 1994 and he was bought by Genoa, led by president Aldo Spinelli, who brought him to Italy after four seasons with Verdy Kawasaki. Miura also scored a goal, in the derby on 4 December 1994 against Sampdoria.

Antonio Manicone, Miura's former teammate in the red and blues and now on the technical staff of the Iranian national team, recalls the few months spent by the Japanese in Italy to Adnkronos. "In that period he was a star, the most famous footballer in all of Asia. At every step, he was besieged by photographers and journalists and on a media level it was an incredible thing. There was an absurd queue for every move". The former midfielder remembers Miura's gentle ways: "He has always been a very polite guy and his image reflects his origins a little. He knew he was good, but on the pitch he was altruistic and always helped others. I think that with his culture he has left his mark on us too. If he is physically fit and enjoying himself, why can't he play? Retirement is an individual decision, it depends on the motivations". Kazu Miura has no shortage of motivations to move forward. In the Japanese national team, Miura played 92 games, scoring 58 goals. His last appearance was in 2000, a lifetime ago. Now Kazu is always there, in the area, hunting for a goal.