Fabio Breaks All-Time Football Appearance Record with 1,391 Matches

Fluminense goalkeeper Fábio has officially etched his name into football history by setting a new record for the most competitive appearances in men’s football, reaching an unprecedented 1,391 matches on Tuesday.

The 44-year-old Brazilian surpassed the previous benchmark held by legendary England goalkeeper Peter Shilton, whose record stood at either 1,387 (by his count) or 1,390 (per Guinness World Records). Fábio had equaled Shilton’s tally on Saturday and went one better during Fluminense’s 2-0 victory over Colombia’s América de Cali at the iconic Maracanã Stadium in the Copa Sudamericana last-16 second leg.

Although neither FIFA nor South American football governing body CONMEBOL has officially confirmed the feat, both Fluminense and the Brazilian media have hailed Fábio as the sole holder of the historic milestone.

“Sometimes we don’t realize the importance of such a significant achievement as breaking this record, which has stood for many years,” said Fábio, who marked the occasion with a clean sheet and received a commemorative plaque amid chants of “Fábio is the best goalkeeper in Brazil” from home fans.

Fluminense head coach Renato Gaúcho praised Fábio’s longevity and discipline, stating,

“No one plays so many matches without a level of professionalism like his. He’ll undoubtedly continue to play for a long time. It will be difficult for another player to surpass his record.”

Fábio, who began his career in 1997—the same year Shilton retired—has played exclusively in Brazil. His remarkable career includes:

• 976 appearances for Cruzeiro (2005–2022)
• 150 matches for Vasco da Gama
• 30 appearances with União Bandeirante
• 235 games for Fluminense, including the record-breaking appearance

In 2023, he helped Fluminense lift the Copa Libertadores, and this year was part of the squad that reached the semi-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.

At 44 and still going strong, Fábio’s record is not only a testament to his talent but also to an extraordinary level of commitment and resilience over nearly three decades in the sport.