Fluminense goalkeeper Fábio has etched his name into football history after setting a new world record for the most competitive appearances in men’s football. The 44-year-old reached the milestone of 1,391 matches on Tuesday when he featured in Fluminense’s 2-0 victory over Colombia’s América de Cali in the Copa Sudamericana round of 16 at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
Fábio surpassed the long-standing record held by former England international Peter Shilton, who retired in 1997 with an official tally of 1,387 appearances—though Guinness World Records lists his total as 1,390. On Saturday, the Brazilian veteran had equalled Shilton’s mark before going one better in front of his home supporters, who celebrated the feat with chants of “Fábio is the best goalkeeper in Brazil.” He was also presented with a commemorative plaque to honor the historic achievement.
Speaking after keeping a clean sheet in the match, Fábio admitted the moment was special. “Sometimes we don’t realize the importance of such a significant achievement as breaking this record, which has stood for many years,” he said. Fluminense head coach Renato Gaúcho also hailed his goalkeeper’s professionalism and longevity, stating, “No one plays so many matches without a level of professionalism like his. It will be difficult for another player to surpass this record.”
Over the course of his 27-year career, Fábio has represented just four Brazilian clubs. He made 30 appearances for União Bandeirante at the start of his career, before playing 150 times for Vasco da Gama. His longest spell came at Cruzeiro, where he featured in 976 matches between 2005 and 2022. Since joining Fluminense, he has already made 235 appearances, including the club’s 2023 Copa Libertadores triumph and their semi-final run at the FIFA Club World Cup earlier this year.
While neither FIFA nor South American football’s governing body CONMEBOL has formally ratified the record, Brazilian media and Fluminense insist that Fábio now stands alone as the most enduring player in the sport’s history. Beginning his professional journey in 1997—the very year Shilton retired—the Brazilian shot-stopper has come full circle, redefining the boundaries of longevity in football.
