Kazuyoshi Miura: Is "King Kazu" the world's oldest footballer?

By Matias Grez

Published 1554 GMT (2354 HKT) November 11, 2015

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Kazuyoshi Miura has signed a new one-year deal with Yokohama FC at the grand old age of 48. The new contract means his professional football career will span more than 30 years. Masashi Hara/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images

The 48-year-old has three goals in 16 appearances for the second division Japanese side this season, however he is currently sidelined with a thigh injury. Masashi Hara/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images

Here is a fresh-faced 27-year-old "King Kazu" lining up for Japan before a game against Malaysia at the Asian Games in 1994. Mike Powell/Getty Images North America/Getty Images

Miura scored 55 goals in 89 appearances for Japan, before announcing his international retirement in 2000. His 14 goals during the qualifying campaign for the 1998 World Cup helped steer Japan towards their first finals in the country's history. Mike Powell/Getty Images North America/Getty Images

Ryan Giggs retired from football in 2014 after spending his entire 23-year career -- tame in comparison to Miura -- at Manchester United. The Welshman made a club record 963 appearances for United, winning 34 trophies. PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images

U.S. goalkeeper Brad Friedel retired from professional football in 2015 at the age of 43. He spent the majority of his 21-year career in the Premier League, playing for Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa and Tottenham. The Ohio-born keeper also made 82 appearances for his country. Paul Gilham/Getty Images/file

Forty-nine-year-old Teddy Sheringham recently registered himself as a player for Stevenage, the club he managers, due to a lack of players. After initially retiring aged 42 in 2008, the former Manchester United striker is yet to play since re-registering. Pete Norton/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images