Brazilian goalkeeper Fabio equals Shilton record for most games played

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Fluminense goalkeeper Fabio has equalled the record held by former England international Peter Shilton for most competitive ap...

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Fluminense goalkeeper Fabio has equalled the record held by former England international Peter Shilton for most competitive appearances in men's football, playing in his 1,390th match in a Brazilian league game on Saturday.

The 44-year-old, part of the Fluminense team that reached the semi-finals of the Club World Cup in the United States, started Fluminense's 2-1 win over Fortaleza in Brazil's Serie A to move level with Shilton.

"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," said Fabio.

He would become the outright record holder if he plays against Colombian side America de Cali in the second leg of their Copa Sudamericana last-16 tie on Tuesday.

Fabio began his career in 1997, the same year that Shilton retired.