Brazilian goalkeeper Fabio (Pic credit: Fluminense F.C.)

Brazilian goalkeeper Fabio etched his name into football history by equalling former England great Peter Shilton’s long-standing record for the most competitive appearances in men’s football. The 44-year-old started Fluminense’s 2-1 victory over Fortaleza in Brazil’s Serie A, marking the 1,390th match of his professional career.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Shilton, widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, had set the benchmark more than two decades ago. While the England legend himself counts 1,387 appearances, Guinness World Records officially recognises the total as 1,390. Fabio’s latest outing has now brought him level at the summit.

“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,” Fabio said after the milestone match.The veteran will stand alone as the outright record holder if he features in Fluminense’s Copa Sudamericana clash against Colombia’s America de Cali on Tuesday.Fabio’s career began in 1997 — the same year Shilton retired — before establishing himself as one of Brazilian football’s most enduring figures. He made 976 appearances for Cruzeiro between 2005 and 2022, alongside spells at Uniao Bandeirante (30 matches) and Vasco da Gama (150). Saturday’s match was his 234th for Fluminense, with whom he lifted the Copa Libertadores in 2023.