Kaz, 45, went to a high-class cabaret club in Yokohama after the game (July 6, 2012 issue). The nickname “King Kazu” became established around 1996. On November 24, the final match of the JFL (Japan Football League) took place, featuring a game between “Suzuka Point Getters” and “FC Maruyasu Okazaki.” From the 27th minute of the second half until the end of the match, Suzuka forward “King Kazu,” Kazuyoshi Miura (57), took the field. With this appearance, he extended his own record for the oldest player in JFL history to 57 years and 272 days. Heading into his 40th professional season next year, he announced that he would continue playing for Suzuka, aiming for promotion to J1 alongside his teammates. “Kazu pursued his dream of becoming a professional soccer player by traveling to Brazil at the age of 15. In 1986, at 19 years old, he signed a professional contract with ‘Santos FC,’ a prestigious club that was once home to the legendary Pelé. This marked the beginning of ‘Kazu’s’ name becoming recognized in Japan. He returned to Japan in July 1990, before the launch of the J-League, and joined ‘Yomiuri Soccer Club’ (now Tokyo Verdy). During the inaugural J-League season in 1993, Kazu scored 20 goals, the highest among Japanese players, contributing significantly to Verdy’s championship win and earning the league’s MVP award. From 1994 to 1995, he transferred to ‘Genoa CFC’ in Italy’s Serie A, becoming the first Asian player in Serie A history,” explains a soccer magazine editor. In 1994, he topped the high-income earners list in the professional sports category (with an estimated annual income of ¥282.4 million). In 1996, he became the J-League’s top scorer. Around this time, media coverage featuring headlines like “King Kazu” helped establish the nickname “King” for Miura.