Fluminense goalkeeper Fábio has surpassed Peter Shilton as the footballer with the most matches played in the history of football, according to his club.
The 44-year-old Brazilian player reached his 1,391st match in the Copa Sudamericana victory against América de Cali at the Maracanã on Tuesday. This figure allows him to surpass Shilton’s record, according to the Guinness Book of Records.
Shilton, however, claims to have played three fewer matches, a total of 1,387, which would also represent a world record.
Fluminense celebrated Fábio’s milestone after his last match, a 2-0 victory in the round of 16 of the South American competition.
Fábio wore a shirt with a special patch and received a plaque and a commemorative painting after the match.
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“I have to thank everyone who is part of my life: my father, my mother, my sisters, my friends, my wife. I try to be a good human being,” said Fábio.
Fábio
The list of players with the most appearances is headed by Fábio, followed by Shilton, Cristiano Ronaldo (1,287), Paul Bastock (1,284) and Rogério Ceni (1,226). Ronaldo is the only outfield player in the top five. Fluminense attributes Fábio’s record to the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS), which breaks down his matches as follows: 976 matches with Cruzeiro (2005-2021), 235 with Fluminense (2022-2025), 150 with Vasco (2000-2004) and 30 with União Bandeirante (1997). Fábio, who was called up to the Brazilian national team on several occasions but never debuted, has won 27 titles throughout his career, including a Copa América and a Copa Libertadores. He also played in the last Club World Cup with Fluminense, reaching the semi-finals. He will turn 45 on September 30th.“The important thing is to help my teammates. I am grateful, but without God nothing would be possible”.
Fábio
