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Fluminense goalkeeper Fabio matched Peter Shilton’s record of 1,390 competitive appearances in men’s football.
Fluminense goalkeeper Fabio (AP/PTI)
Fluminense goalkeeper Fabio has matched the record for the most competitive appearances in men’s football, equalling former England international Peter Shilton by playing his 1,390th match in a Brazilian league game on Saturday.
The 44-year-old, who was part of the Fluminense team that reached the semi-finals of the Club World Cup in the United States, started Fluminense’s 2-1 victory over Fortaleza in Brazil’s Serie A, thus reaching Shilton’s record.
“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. The important thing is to help my teammates. I am grateful, but without God nothing would be possible,” said Fabio.
He will become the sole record holder if he plays against Colombian side America de Cali in the second leg of their Copa Sudamericana last-16 tie on Tuesday.
Fabio began his career in 1997, the same year that Shilton retired.
Though Shilton himself claims his total number of appearances is 1,387, Guinness World Records lists it as 1,390.
In 2023, former England goalkeeper Shilton acknowledged that Fabio was getting closer to breaking his record and expressed that he would be the first to congratulate the Brazilian if he succeeded.
Fabio has spent his entire career in Brazil, winning the Copa Libertadores with Fluminense in 2023.
He made 976 appearances for Cruzeiro between 2005 and 2022, after playing 30 times for Uniao Bandeirante and another 150 games for Vasco da Gama.
His record-equalling match against Fortaleza was his 234th appearance for Fluminense.
Who Has Played Most Football Matches?
| Rank | Player | Career Appearances |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fabio | 1,390 |
| 1 | Peter Shilton | 1,390 |
| 3 | Cristiano Ronaldo | 1,283 |
| 4 | Rogerio Ceni | 1,265 |
| 5 | Frantisek Planicka | 1,187 |
According to available statistics, the five players with the most matches in football history are: Fabio and Shilton (1,390), Cristiano Ronaldo (1,283), Rogerio Ceni (1,265), and Frantisek Planicka (1,187). While Guinness and other sources list Shilton’s total as 1,390, the former England goalkeeper himself cites 1,387, the discrepancy arising from differing counts of unofficial and Under-23 fixtures.
(With inputs from Agencies)
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket content, ha…Read More
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket content, ha… Read More
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