At the age of 44, Fluminense goalkeeper Fábio Deivson Lopes Maciel isn’t just playing in the Club World Cup; he’s rewriting the record books and showing the world that age is truly just a number.
Five years older than Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany, Fábio stands as the oldest athlete to grace FIFA’s global tournaments, Footballrover reports.
He has proven his legendary status with every save, garnering 28 years of history in FIFA global competitions.
Fluminense goalkeeper dominates the pitch
Fábio sealed his place in history by breaking the age record at 44 years and 260 days during a thrilling match against Borussia Dortmund.
And this wasn’t just any game; it marked the 1,375th official career match for this iconic player.
Against the Bundesliga giants, the Fluminense goalkeeper displayed his incredible skill, ensuring the match finished goalless and denying Dortmund any chance to score.
His dedication and performance highlight why he’s still considered one of Brazil’s best goalkeepers.
Club World Cup stage for a living legend
Beyond his achievement at the FIFA competition, Fábio is rapidly approaching another monumental milestone: becoming the player with the most appearances in the history of world football.
He’s already surpassed legends like Gianluigi Buffon and Rogério Ceni, leaving even Cristiano Ronaldo more than 100 matches behind.
With just 15 more games needed, the top spot is within reach. Despite the fact he’ll be turning 45 in September, Fábio remains Fluminense’s undisputed number one, having signed a new contract extending to the end of 2026.
His career began in 1997, playing for teams like Uniao Bandeirante and Vasco da Gama, where he won the Brazilian championship in 2000.
However, it was at Cruzeiro (2005-2021) that he saw his football career flourish, making an incredible 976 appearances and leading them to back-to-back league titles in 2013 and 2014.
His brilliance in front of goal ultimately earned him the affectionate nickname “The Blue Wall” from fans.
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