Brazilian goalkeeper Fabio has etched his name into football history by equaling Peter Shilton's record for the most competitive appearances in the sport. The Fluminense shot-stopper made his 1,390th appearance in his team's 2-1 Serie A victory over Fortaleza, matching the longstanding record held by the legendary English goalkeeper.

Fabio's remarkable achievement is a testament to his incredible longevity and dedication to the game. The 44-year-old has enjoyed a professional career spanning 28 years, representing União Bandeirante, Vasco da Gama, Cruzeiro, and Fluminense. During his impressive career, Fabio has won numerous titles, including two Brazilian Championships and two Copa do Brasil titles with Cruzeiro. Since joining Fluminense in 2022, he has added the Copa Libertadores and Recopa Sudamericana to his trophy cabinet.

Peter Shilton, who played professionally from 1966 to 1997, acknowledged Fabio's approach to his record in 2023 and promised to be the first to congratulate the Brazilian if he surpassed it. Shilton's career spanned 30 years and 11 clubs. He is also the only player in football history to have made over 1,000 appearances for five separate clubs. Shilton is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in English football history and was at the forefront of Nottingham Forest's league and European dominance in the late 1970s.

While Shilton's record is generally cited as 1,390 appearances, the former England goalkeeper himself claims it to be 1,387. The discrepancy arises from differing counts of unofficial and Under-23 fixtures.

Cristiano Ronaldo holds the third position with 1,283 appearances. The Portuguese star made his international debut for Portugal in 2003 and has since become the all-time leading scorer in men's international football. Ronaldo's international appearances record stands at 221. He has also won over 30 major trophies, including five UEFA Champions Leagues and seven league championships across England, Spain, and Italy.

Rounding out the top five are Brazilian goalkeeper Rogério Ceni with 1,265 appearances and Frantisek Planicka with 1,187 appearances. Ceni is also recognized as the goalkeeper with the most goals scored in football history, with 131 goals during his 25-year professional career.

Several other players have also surpassed the 1,100 appearance mark, including Gianluigi Buffon (1,116), Ray Clemence (1,117), Iker Casillas (1,119), Roberto Carlos (1,127), and Xavi (1,133).

These appearance records reflect incredible careers defined by skill, dedication, and longevity. As Fabio continues his career with Fluminense, he has the opportunity to surpass Shilton's record and further cement his place in football history.