Former Japan international Kazuyoshi Miura became the oldest player to appear in Japan's third-tier league on Saturday, when the 59-year-old came off the bench in Fukushima United's 4-1 home win over FC Ryukyu.

Miura, affectionately known as "King Kazu", was introduced in second-half stoppage time at the age of 59 years, eight months and 12 days, extending his own J.League appearance record in a career that has now entered its 42nd season.

The appearance was his first in a league match since 2021, when he played once in Japan's top flight for parent club Yokohama FC. Miura is on loan at Fukushima United from Yokohama FC.

The J.League confirmed the record on its official account, noting that Miura had made his league return and become the oldest player in league history at 59 years, eight months and 12 days.

Miura already held the oldest appearance records in Japan's top two divisions, and he now holds the oldest appearance record in all three J.League divisions. The previous oldest appearance in the third tier stood at 50 years, two months and 24 days.

The striker, who has played professional football across five decades, ended a wait of almost four years for a competitive goal when he scored in the Emperor's Cup in July.

Miura made his professional debut in Brazil in 1986 and went on to play 89 times for Japan, scoring 55 goals. His longevity has made him one of the most recognisable figures in Japanese football, and Saturday's brief appearance added another entry to a record book he has been rewriting for more than a decade.

[Source: reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/japan-great-king-kazu-miura-sets-oldest-appearance-record-59-2026-11-07/) | [Source: flashscore.co.uk](https://www.flashscore.co.uk/news/football-j3-league-japanese-legend-king-kazu-miura-sets-record-for-appearance-at-59/bsRxqDLb/)