Brazilian goalkeeper Fabio Deivson Lopes Maciel has etched his name into football history, becoming the player with the most competitive appearances ever. The 44‑year‑old reached his 1,391st career match on Tuesday night, leading Fluminense to a 2‑0 victory over América de Cali in the Copa Sudamericana round of 16. The milestone surpasses the long‑standing mark held by England legend Peter Shilton.
Fabio’s professional journey began in 1997, and over 28 uninterrupted years he has represented five Brazilian clubs União Bandeirante, Atlético Paranaense, Vasco da Gama, Cruzeiro, and Fluminense. The bulk of his appearances came during a remarkable 17‑year spell at Cruzeiro, where he played 976 matches. Since joining Fluminense in 2022, he has made 235 appearances, winning the Copa Libertadores in 2023 and helping the club reach this year’s Club World Cup final.
His career has been defined by extraordinary consistency and longevity. Earlier this year, Fabio also set the world record for most clean sheets 507 surpassing Gianluigi Buffon during the Club World Cup. Sixteen of his current teammates were not yet born when he made his debut, underscoring the generational span of his career.
Honored with a commemorative shirt, plaque, and painting before a jubilant Maracanã crowd, Fabio vowed to keep playing, with his contract running until December 2026. By then, he could be 46 and still adding to a record that may stand for decades.
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