Shilton's incredible 28-year-old world record broken by Brazilian star

 

History was made in Brazil as Fluminense’s veteran goalkeeper Fábio became the new world record holder for most official football appearances. The 44-year-old reached an incredible 1,391 competitive matches when he started against América de Cali in the Copa Sudamericana, overtaking England legend Peter Shilton, whose record had stood for 28 years.

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Shilton’s exact tally has always been the subject of debate. His personal biography lists 1,387 matches, Guinness World Records recognises 1,390, while other sources calculate 1,374 official games, depending on whether appearances in England’s Under-23 team or regional competitions are counted. Regardless of the variation, one thing is clear: Fábio’s consistency over nearly three decades of football has taken him past Shilton’s mark.

Fluminense honoured the goalkeeper before kick-off, presenting him with a commemorative plate and a special shirt patch to mark the occasion. Speaking after the match, Fábio expressed gratitude for the milestone, saying he owed everything to God and to the support of his family. For him, achieving such a record while wearing the Fluminense jersey only made the moment more meaningful, as the club has given him the chance to keep proving himself at the highest level.

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ábio’s story is one of extraordinary dedication and endurance in football. Born in 1980, he began his professional journey in 1998 with União Bandeirante, making 30 appearances before joining Vasco da Gama, where he added 150 more. His greatest spell came at Cruzeiro, where he played a remarkable 976 games across 17 years, winning multiple trophies and cementing his status as one of the club’s all-time greats. Since moving to Fluminense, he has already passed the 200-match mark, proving his importance as a reliable presence even in the latter stages of his career.

What makes his achievement even more unique is the fact that he has never represented Brazil at senior international level, despite his domestic dominance. This has made him something of an “iron man” figure within the sport, admired for his ability to stay relevant and consistent without international recognition.

At 44, he remains first-choice for Fluminense and continues to feature in major competitions, including the FIFA Club World Cup, where he helped his side reach the semi-finals against Chelsea. His record-breaking career now stands as a symbol of resilience, professionalism and passion, showing that longevity at the highest level is possible with discipline and love for the game.