NUMAZU, Japan (Kyodo) -- Former Japan midfielder Teruyoshi Ito, who scored the winner against Brazil during their 1996 Atlanta Olympics group-stage opener, said Thursday he will retire at the end of the season at age 50.

Ito netted one of Japan's most famous goals in their football history in a game domestically dubbed the "Miracle of Miami," tapping in the second-half winner after taking advantage of a mix-up between the Brazil goalkeeper and defense in the huge 1-0 upset.

The Brazil team at the Olympics featured the likes of Bebeto, Rivaldo and Roberto Carlos with future star Ronaldo coming off the bench in the match.

"I'm grateful to have been able to play until 50. I had support from lots of people and was fortunate," Ito, currently playing for J-League third-division club Azul Claro Numazu, told a press conference.

Standing 168 centimeters tall, the tireless player was assured on the ball and part of Japan's 1998 World Cup squad in France where they made their tournament debut. He went on to make 27 appearances for his country in total.

After making his debut with Shimizu S-Pulse in 1993 when the J-League began, he stayed with his local club until 2010 before joining Ventforet Kofu. His 517 J1 appearances are ninth on the all-time list.

Ito, who played for Nagano Parceiro and Blaublitz Akita as well as Numazu in J3, is the oldest player in this season's J-League.