Brazilian goalkeeper Fabio breaks Shilton s all time appearance record

In a historic moment for world football, Brazilian goalkeeper Fabio Deivson Lopes Maciel has broken the long-standing record for most competitive appearances, previously held by England legend Peter Shilton. The milestone was reached on Tuesday night when the 44-year-old made his 1,391st career appearance during a Copa Sudamericana match—the South American equivalent of the Europa League.

Playing for his club, Fluminense, Fabio led the team to a 2-0 victory over America de Cali at the iconic Maracana Stadium. This achievement officially puts him ahead of Shilton, who is credited with 1,390 appearances in the Guinness Book of Records, though Shilton himself claims a slightly lower tally of 1,387.

Fabio's remarkable career began in 1997. He has spent his entire professional life playing in Brazil, representing five different clubs: Uniao Bandeirante, Atletico Paranaense, Vasco da Gama, Cruzeiro, and Fluminense. A significant majority of his appearances, a staggering 976, came during his 17-year tenure with Cruzeiro between 2005 and 2022. He also played 150 matches for Vasco da Gama and 30 for Uniao Bandeirante. His record-breaking outing on Tuesday was his 235th match for Fluminense.

While there have been questions about the exact number of games and whether some appearances—like Shilton's 13 games for the England Under-23 team—should count, Fluminense has now officially declared Fabio as the outright record holder.

The club and its fans celebrated the milestone with a tribute to Fabio before and after the match. Fabio wore a special shirt with a celebratory patch, and spoke of his gratitude after the game.

"I have to thank everyone who is part of my life—my father, my mother, my sisters, my friends, my wife," he said. "I try to be a good human being. The important thing is to help my teammates. I am grateful, but without God, nothing would be possible."

Despite never playing for his country's senior national team, Fabio has had a career full of accolades. He won the Under-19 World Cup in 1997, and more recently, he won the Copa Libertadores with Fluminense in 2023. In the same year, he set another record at the Club World Cup by achieving his 507th clean sheet, surpassing former Italy international Gianluigi Buffon. Fluminense extended his contract in May, securing his place at the club until December 2026, by which time he will be 46 years old.

The longevity and dedication shown by Fabio are truly a testament to his love for the game. At 44, he continues to play at a high level, defying the conventional limits of a football career. As he continues to add to his record-breaking tally, he is not only an example of incredible endurance but also a symbol of a rare kind of loyalty in modern football.