Kazuyoshi Miura

• Full name: Kazuyoshi Miura
• Date of birth: February 26, 1967
• Place of birth: Shizuoka, Japan
• Nationality: Japanese
• Position: Forward / Striker
• Nickname: “King Kazu”

Career overview

• Miura is one of Japan’s most famous and longest-serving professional footballers, with a career beginning in the mid-1980s and continuing into his 50s.
• He began his senior career in Brazil with clubs including Santos and Palmeiras before returning to Japan to become a foundational figure in the J.League era.
• Notable Japanese clubs: Yomiuri (which became Verdy Kawasaki / Tokyo Verdy), Kyoto Purple Sanga, Vissel Kobe, FC Tokyo (loan), and later Yokohama FC. He also had spells overseas in Croatia and Italy early in his career.
• Miura played a central role in popularizing professional football in Japan and was a high-profile member of the Japan national team in the 1990s.

International career (Japan)

• Senior national team debut: 1990s; Miura earned multiple caps for Japan and scored several goals for the national side.
• Major tournaments: He represented Japan at the AFC Asian Cup and played in qualifiers and competitions through the 1990s.
• Miura was part of the generation that helped raise Japan’s international football profile leading into the J.League era and World Cup involvement.

Records & notable achievements

• Recognized worldwide for his longevity — continuing to play professionally well into his 50s.
• Multiple domestic league titles with Yomiuri/Verdy in the pre-J.League and early J.League periods.
• Individual honors in Japan, including selections to league best elevens and scoring achievements in various seasons.

Legacy

• Kazuyoshi Miura is widely regarded as a cultural icon in Japanese football. His nickname “King Kazu” reflects his popularity and status.
• He has inspired several generations of Japanese players and remains notable for his commitment to playing professionally at an age when almost all peers have retired.

Current status (as of last known updates)

• Miura continued to be registered as a professional player with Yokohama FC for many years and made appearances late into his career. For the very latest club and appearances information, consult current club sources or league records, as squad status can change season to season.