Tokyo (AFP)

Forward Kazuyoshi Miura became at 53 years 6 months and 28 days the oldest player in the J-League, the Japanese football championship, starting Wednesday's match for his team, Yokohama FC, against Kawasaki Frontale.

The previous oldest player to start in the J-League was Masashi Nakayama, in 2012, when he was 45 years old.

Miura, nicknamed "King Kazu" and who had not started since 2007, played more than one half before being substituted in the 56th minute.

Despite his presence, his team ultimately lost 3-2.

Kazuyoshi Miura, who has been with Yokohama FC since 2005 and entering his 35th season as a professional player, intends to continue playing at the highest level until he turns 60.

He already held, among other records, that of the oldest scorer in a professional match when he scored in 2017, at the age of 50.

Miura, who left for Brazil in 1982 at the age of 15, made his debut there in 1986, at Santos FC, the club of a certain Pelé.

In the Japan team, where he made his debut in 1990, he scored 55 goals in 89 caps, but was not selected for the 1998 World Cup in France, the first for which the Blue Samourai had qualified.

© 2020 AFP