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Age is just a number.
Isn't that right, Kazuyoshi Miura?
The veteran former Sydney FC striker has extended his contract with Japanese outfit Yokohama FC.
✍️ :crown:
At 11:11 on January 11th, @yokohama_fc announced big news about their #11: The renewal of 53-year-old forward Kazuyoshi Miura's contract for the 2021 season! https://t.co/tz6iu2WTs5
- J.LEAGUE Official EN (@J_League_En) January 11, 2021
Now, you may be asking why this is such big news and the simple answer is: because the bloke is 53 years of age.
That's right, once the new J-League campaign wraps up at the end of the year Miura's new deal with Yokohama means he'll have competed professionally at the top level for a whopping 36 seasons.
Known by sports fans around the globe as being the oldest ever footballer, many were expecting Miura to finally call time on his career and hang up the boots for good this year.
But how wrong they all were.
"Last season, I was feeling the joy of playing football at a time when the world was facing a tough situation because of the new coronavirus," Miura said.
"Personally it was not a satisfactory season, but my ambition and enthusiasm towards football are increasing.
"I will work hard every day, aiming to contribute to the team's victory this season by playing as many games as possible."
Record-breaking Japanese star Kazuyoshi Miura has signed a new contract with J1 League side Yokohama, at the age of 53 :flushed:
King Kazu :crown: pic.twitter.com/A1XdVPWMHK
- Goal (@goal) January 11, 2021
Kazuyoshi Miura, who is entering his 36th season as a pro, has signed a contract extension with Yokohama FC for the 2021 season.
He turns 54 in February pic.twitter.com/TbsJ99NIak
- B/R Football (@brfootball) January 11, 2021
53-year-old striker Kazuyoshi Miura has signed a new contract with Yokohama FC.
He was already a professional footballer when Messi was born
This will be his 36th season :clap: pic.twitter.com/XOxst6QZTQ
- ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) January 11, 2021
53-year-old Kazuyoshi Miura has signed a contract with Japanese J-League club Yokohama FC for the 2021 season.
It's his 36th year as a pro @brfootball pic.twitter.com/2oHpcVomn5
- Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 11, 2021
❍ 1980s
❍ 1990s
❍ 2000s
❍ 2010s
❍ 2020s
Kazuyoshi Miura has played competitive football in five separate decades and will be 54-years old when the 2021 J-League season starts. https://t.co/5Y7mBUwx5H
- Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 11, 2021
Kazuyoshi Miura, the oldest pro footballer, will continue to play! :older_man:
The 53-year old has signed a one year contract extension with Yokohama FC for the 2021 season! :pencil:
Respect :punch: pic.twitter.com/V6MEFdFMvs
- Soccer AM (@SoccerAM) January 11, 2021
As well as holding the record for being the oldest footballer, Miura also boasts the impressive stat of being the oldest ever professional goalscorer - and even at Cristiano Ronaldo's rate, he's got a long way to go to catch him.
What's even more impressive is that Miura is the only footballer in history to have played across five decades.
Incredibly, he started his career with Brazilian club Santos all the way back in 1986 and is still plugging along to this day in 2021.
Just remember, the fella is 53 years old.
What a hero.
Featured Image Credit: Twitter/@yokohama_fc
Topics: Kazuyoshi Miura, Football News, Football, Goals, A-League, Australia, Japan