The veteran forward, who plays for J-League second division side Yokohama and is affectionately known as Kazu by the club’s faithful, played 54 minutes in the 1-1 weekend draw with V-Varen Nagasaki.

And that was enough to eclipse the record set by Matthews some 53 years ago – when he turned out for Stoke City against Fulham, aged 50 years and five days.

In an interview with FIFA.com, Miura said: “I don’t actually feel like I’ve gone past a legend. I may have surpassed him in longevity but I won’t ever be able to match his statistics and the career he had.”

The striker made his professional debut way back in 1986 and boasts his infamous ‘Kazu dance’ – a celebration when he finds the back of the net.