'King Kazu' Miura Kazuyoshi (58) has once again etched his name in the history books.
Miura was substituted in the 37th minute of the second half during the Japan Football League (JFL) 12th round match against Atletico Suzuka-YSCC Yokohama on the 15th. He set a new record for the 'oldest professional player to participate in a match' at 58 years and 109 days.
While it is outwardly commendable, local media have not hidden their cold gaze, calling it a 'greed for records without skills.'
In reality, the match performance was 'tailored' to setting records. Miura appeared as if celebrating his 40th professional season, but concluded the game without even a few proper ball touches.
While Suzuka won 2-1, Japanese media dismissed the situation, stating, 'The only reason for his inclusion was to generate buzz.'
A sports commentator remarked, 'It’s difficult to argue about competitiveness even in the fourth division,' adding, 'The club is using him as a promotional mascot while the player, driven by a desire for records, cannot leave the field.'
Miura was once the standout striker of Japanese soccer in the 1990s, but this is only a past tense description. He scored 55 goals in 89 international matches during his prime, but his last appearance in an A match was in 2000. Since then, he has traveled between teams in Brazil, Italy, and Australia in a 'traveler mode.'
After turning forty, he only held onto the 'oldest' title while moving around the lower leagues of the J-League. Even Japanese media have begun to criticize, saying, 'No longer can we absolve him with the term “legend.”'
Some have pointed out that 'the show-up for one veteran player eats away at the league’s level and the opportunities for younger players.' After the match, Miura shared that he was 'happy to win,' but the reactions from local fan communities are lukewarm.
One fan criticized, 'The media is glamorizing the farce. Stop being intoxicated by the myth of the “eternal active player.”' While records remain, whether they will lead to respect is questionable.
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