Brazilian goalkeeper Fabio claims world record for most games
The 44-year-old on Saturday equaled the landmark held by former England stopper Peter Shilton and Fabio has now gone one better following a 2-0 win over Colombia's America de Cali at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.
Fluminense and Brazilian media say Fabio now stands alone in soccer history, although neither FIFA nor regional body CONMEBOL has declared it a record.
"Sometimes we don't realize the importance of such a significant achievement as breaking this record, which has stood for many years," said Fabio, who has spent his entire career in Brazil, following his clean sheet in the Copa Sudamericana last 16 second leg.
The home fans chanted, "Fabio is the best goalkeeper in Brazil," and he received a commemorative plaque to mark the achievement.
"No one plays so many matches without a level of professionalism like his," said Fluminense coach Renato Gaucho.
"He'll undoubtedly continue to play for a long time.
"It will be difficult for another player to surpass his record."
Fabio won the Copa Libertadores with Fluminense in 2023 and was part of the side that reached the semifinals of the Club World Cup in the United States this summer.
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 outing against America de Cali was his 235th match for Fluminense.
Fabio began his career in 1997, the year that Shilton retired.
The Englishman considers his total number of appearances to be 1,387, but Guinness World Records puts the number at 1,390.
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Brazilian goalkeeper Fabio claims world record for most games
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