Brazilian · Campinas, Brazil · Born 23 October 1993Dominant Brazilian defensive midfielder whose interceptions and tactical discipline anchored Liverpool's midfield during their trophy-laden era.
Fábio Henrique Tavares, known as Fabinho, was born on 23 October 1993 in Campinas, Brazil, and progressed through Fluminense's youth academy before a loan move to Real Madrid Castilla in 2012 brought him to Spain as a teenager. After a brief loan spell with the Real Madrid first team, he moved to Monaco in 2013, initially on loan and then permanently, developing into one of Ligue 1's most complete midfielders. Fabinho spent five seasons at Monaco, helping the club win the 2016-17 Ligue 1 title in a campaign that memorably ended Paris Saint-Germain's domestic dominance. His combination of defensive discipline, tackling, and tactical intelligence attracted Liverpool, who signed him in 2018 to fill the deep-lying midfield role that would come to define his career. At Liverpool, Fabinho became renowned as one of the finest defensive midfielders in world football, praised for his positioning and reading of the game, and was a key figure as the club won the 2019 Champions League and the 2019-20 Premier League title, ending a 30-year wait for the league championship. His versatility also allowed him to fill in at centre-back when required. Fabinho earned his first Brazil cap in 2015 and represented his country at the 2022 World Cup, where Brazil were eliminated in the quarter-finals. He moved to Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad in 2023, where he captains the side, continuing his career in the Saudi Pro League after five trophy-laden seasons in England.
Key player in Liverpool's Champions League and Premier League victories
He was so good at intercepting passes and breaking up play that Liverpool fans nicknamed him 'the lighthouse' for his ability to see danger before anyone else.
Did You Know?How They Played
Defensive midfielder with strong tackling, passing range and occasional goals
Lasting Impact
Fabinho established himself as one of the Premier League's finest defensive midfielders during Liverpool's most successful period in decades.
Career Honours
- Champions League 2019
- Premier League 2020
- FA Cup 2022
- League Cup 2022
- Ligue 1 2017
- FIFA Club World Cup 2019
- UEFA Super Cup 2019
| Club | Period | Fee | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fluminense | 2012–2012 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Rio Ave | 2012–2015 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Real Madrid Castilla | 2012–2013 | loan | 30 | 2 |
| Real Madrid | 2013–2013 | loan | 1 | 0 |
| Monaco | 2013–2015 | loan | 62 | 1 |
| Monaco | 2015–2018 | — | 105 | 22 |
| Liverpool | 2018–2023 | £43m | 151 | 8 |
| Al-Ittihad | 2023–Present | — | 81 | 4 |
 Brazil | — | — | 28 | 1 |
Brazilian Athletes