On Tuesday, August 19, 2025, Fluminense goalkeeper Fabio, aged 44, set a new record for the most competitive appearances in men’s football with his 1,391st match during a 2-0 win against Colombia’s America de Cali in the Copa Sudamericana last 16 second leg at the Maracana, surpassing former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton’s mark of 1,390, as reported by ESPN Brasil and Globo Esporte. Fabio, who equalled Shilton’s record on Saturday, received a commemorative plaque as fans chanted, “Fabio is the best goalkeeper in Brazil.” Fluminense coach Renato Gaucho praised his professionalism, predicting the record’s longevity, per UOL Esporte. Neither FIFA nor CONMEBOL has officially recognized the record, with Guinness World Records listing Shilton’s total at 1,390, while Shilton claims 1,387.
Fabio, who began his career in 1997 with Uniao Bandeirante (30 appearances), played 150 games for Vasco da Gama, 976 for Cruzeiro (2005–2022), and 235 for Fluminense, where he won the 2023 Copa Libertadores and reached the 2025 Club World Cup semi-finals (Lance!). “Breaking this record is a significant achievement,” Fabio said, crediting his clean sheet. X posts from @FluminenseFC (August 20, 2025) celebrated the milestone, while @FutebolBR noted Fabio’s 28-year career, though @SoccerStats247 questioned the record’s verification due to discrepancies in Shilton’s count. Fabio’s milestone underscores his enduring impact in Brazilian football, with 68% of fans in a 2025 Globo poll calling him a “living legend.”
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