Veteran Brazilian goalkeeper Fabio has created football history, surpassing England legend Peter Shilton’s long-standing record for the most competitive appearances in men’s football. The 44-year-old Fluminense shot-stopper made his 1,391st official appearance on Tuesday during his team’s 2-0 win over América de Cali in the Copa Sudamericana round of 16 at Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Maracanã Stadium.
Fabio had matched Shilton’s tally of 1,390 games on Saturday and went one better with a clean sheet that also secured Fluminense’s progress in the tournament. The milestone has been widely celebrated by Brazilian media and his club, though official recognition from FIFA and CONMEBOL is still awaited.
After the match, Fabio was honoured with a commemorative plaque as fans chanted his name. Reflecting on the achievement, he said, “Breaking a record that has stood for so long is truly special. Sometimes, we don’t realise the magnitude of these moments.” Fluminense manager Renato Gaucho hailed his goalkeeper’s professionalism, noting that such longevity requires extraordinary commitment and predicting that Fabio can continue performing at a high level.
Fabio’s career began in 1997, coincidentally the same year Shilton retired. Entirely based in Brazil, he made 30 appearances for Uniao Bandeirante, 150 with Vasco da Gama, and a remarkable 976 during his 17-year spell at Cruzeiro. Since joining Fluminense in 2022, he has added 235 games, including their 2023 Copa Libertadores triumph and a semifinal run in the 2024 Club World Cup.
While Shilton’s official count varies between 1,387 and 1,390 depending on the source, Fabio has now moved clear, cementing his status as the most capped player in competitive men’s football history.
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