World's oldest pro footballer, 56, makes debut for his new club in Europe

Kazuyoshi Miura opened a new chapter his playing career at the weekend - more than 30 years since he beat Gary Lineker to a prestigious award in Japan.

The 56-year-old former Japan international made his Oliveirense debut in the Portuguese second division on Saturday on loan from Yokohama FC - where he first signed back in 2005.

Having begun his professional career in Brazil with Santos way back in 1986, his record-breaking career has now taken him back to Europe as he approaches 800 club appearances.

Miura left Brazil to play in Japan prior to the formation of the J-League in 1992 - beating Lineker to the division's most valuable player award after the England icon signed for Nagoya Grampus.

Since a brief return to Brazil in 1989, Miura has had two spells in Europe with Genoa and Dinamo Zagreb but made over 100 appearances with each of Verdy Kawasaki, Vissel Kobe and current parent club Yokohama FC in Japan.

He also impressed with the national team by scoring 55 goals across his 89 fixtures - including 13 in 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification.

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Miura has also been a big star off the pitch, posing for snaps with Pele and Mike Tyson among others down the years before he earned a Guinness World Record for being the oldest professional football player to score a competitive league goal.

King Kazu, as he his known in his home country, broke that record first in 2016 at the age of 50 and most recently in November of 2022 at the age of 55 years and 259 days old - with his career goal tally now over 200.

Showing no signs of slowing down, Miura stored twice on loan at Suzuka Point Getters in the fourth tier of Japanese football, who were coached by his brother, in 2022 before his Portuguese switch.

Having come off the bench in their Liga Portugal 2 clash against Academico de Viseu on Saturday (April 22), Miura is still making history.

The veteran stated after his transfer was confirmed that he wants to play until he turns 60 - promising to earn the respect of his new team-mates.

He said: "Even though this is a new place for me, I'll work hard to show everyone the kind of play I'm known for."

With Miura the oldest footballer to play in Portuguese football at 56 years and a month, he has also had the longest progressional football career in the history of the sport.

Miura is 13 years older than John Burridge, the oldest player in Premier League history at 43 - almost 20 years older than the current most senior active player in the division in Thiago Silva.

Should Miura go on to play until he is 60, he will need to put in another four seasons - and could just fancy a move to one of the lower divisions in the English game.