Japanese footballer Kazuyoshi Miura is set to continue playing professional football next season, despite turning 58.

The player known to fans as “King Kazu” – or simply Kazu – is several generations older than his teammates, while his contemporaries retired decades ago.

By comparison, Lionel Messi is 37, and Cristiano Ronaldo is 39 – mere youngsters compared to Miura.

Miura will turn 58 in February, and the Japanese news agency Kyodo reported this week that he intends to play next season for Suzuka in the JFL, the fourth tier of Japanese football.

It will be his 40th season playing in professional football and he is widely listed as the oldest active professional football player.

Miura joined Suzuka on loan from J-League second-division club Yokohama FC in June this year following a stint with Portuguese second-tier side Oliveirense.