The phrase 'age is just a number' is thrown around a lot but it applies to Japanese player Kazuyoshi Miura more than anyone else.
Now 51 years of age, he is the only player to have appeared in FIFA 96 and still be playing professionally.
The legendary Francesco Totti was also a permanent fixture in EA Sports' franchise game over the years, appearing in FIFA 96 as an 86-rated forward and remaining in the series right up to his last bow in FIFA 17.
Miura, nicknamed 'King Kazu' started his career way back in 1986 when Lionel Richie was number one in the charts. He scored 55 goals in 89 games for Japan and has turned out for clubs such as Santos, Genoa, Dinamo Zagreb and Sydney FC.
On his 50th birthday in February 2017, Miura took to the field for Yokohama in the game against Matsumoto Yamaga in the J. League Division 2, becoming the oldest player to play in a professional football game and breaking Stanley Matthews' previous record in the process.
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He then penned a contract extension with the club in January and has had 33 seasons as a footballer, which is pretty incredible.
Unfortunately, because his side are only in the second tier of Japanese football, you are not able to play with him on this year's FIFA.
They finished third in the J-League 2 and were the favourites to take the final promotion spot but lost to sixth-place Tokyo Verdy in the play-offs.
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Keeping ageing like a fine wine, Kazu. Here's hoping he keeps playing for many more years.
Topics: Kazuyoshi Miura, Football, FIFA 19, EA Sports, Japan
