RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, Aug 17, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Fluminense goalkeeper Fabio 
has equalled the record held by former England international Peter Shilton 
for most competitive appearances in men's football, playing in his 1,390th 
match in a Brazilian league game on Saturday.

The 44-year-old, part of the Fluminense team that reached the semi-finals of 
the Club World Cup in the United States, started Fluminense's 2-1 win over 
Fortaleza in Brazil's Serie A to move level with Shilton.

"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 team-mates. I am grateful, but without God nothing would 
be possible," said Fabio.

He would become the outright 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.

Former England goalkeeper Shilton himself considers his total number of 
appearances to be 1,387, but Guinness World Records puts the number at 1,390.

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 outing against Fortaleza was his 234th match for 
Fluminense.