Fábio Lima: Al Wasl’s Record-Breaking UAE Football Star

Introduction

Fábio Lima is a Brazilian-born Emirati professional footballer who plays for Al Wasl in Dubai. He is best known for his goals, long service to the club and important performances for the United Arab Emirates national team.

His full professional name is Fábio Virginio de Lima. He joined Al Wasl in 2014 and later received UAE citizenship in 2020. Since then, he has become one of the highest-scoring players in UAE professional football.

As of July 2026, Al Wasl’s official website continues to include him in its first-team setup. His career is closely connected with the growth of modern UAE football and one of Dubai’s most historic clubs.

Fábio Lima Quick Facts

Detail	Information
Full name	Fábio Virginio de Lima
Known as	Fábio Lima or Fabio De Lima
Date of birth	30 June 1993
Age	33 years old as of July 2026
Birthplace	Araçagi, Paraíba, Brazil
Citizenship	United Arab Emirates
Profession	Professional footballer
Position	Attacking midfielder or forward
Current club	Al Wasl
Shirt number	10
Joined Al Wasl	July 2014
National team	United Arab Emirates

The UAE Pro League officially lists him as a UAE citizen, born on 30 June 1993. It records his height as 176 centimetres and identifies his main position as a midfielder. Al Wasl has also used him as a forward and central attacking player.

Who Is Fábio Lima?

Fábio Lima is an attacking footballer recognised for scoring goals, creating chances and performing in important matches.

He began his senior journey in Brazil before moving to the United Arab Emirates. His career changed after he joined Al Wasl, where he developed from a promising foreign signing into one of the club’s most important modern players.

The name Fábio Lima belongs to several public figures. This article concerns the footballer born in 1993 who plays for Al Wasl and represents the UAE national team. He should not be confused with Brazilian musicians or other football players with similar names.

Early Football Career in Brazil

The footballer began his documented senior career with Icasa in 2011. He later joined Atlético Goianiense and spent time with Vasco da Gama.

These early years gave him experience in Brazilian football, where technical ability, close ball control and attacking movement are important parts of player development.

Al Wasl brought him to Dubai in 2014. The move introduced him to a different football culture, climate and league structure. He adapted quickly and became a regular source of goals.

Joining Al Wasl

The attacker officially joined Al Wasl in July 2014. During his first UAE league season, he scored 16 goals in 24 appearances.

That strong beginning showed that he could perform consistently in the UAE Pro League. He was not limited to one successful season. He continued scoring across many campaigns and became strongly connected with the club’s number 10 shirt.

His story is also connected with other Al Wasl players. Readers interested in the club’s newer generation can learn about UAE football talent Ali Saleh, another attacking player developed within the Al Wasl system.

Goal-Scoring Record at Al Wasl

Goals are the clearest part of Fábio Lima’s Al Wasl career.

He scored 20 league goals during the 2015–16 season and followed that with 25 goals in 2016–17. He later recorded 19 league goals in 2017–18 and 22 during the 2020–21 campaign.

His numbers remained strong as he moved through his late twenties and early thirties. During the 2023–24 league season, he scored 17 goals in 25 matches.

The official UAE Pro League profile records eight league goals from 24 appearances during the 2025–26 season. These figures show that he continued contributing after more than a decade in UAE football.

Historic Al Wasl Statistics

In June 2025, Al Wasl announced that the club had renewed his contract.

At the time of that announcement, the club credited him with:

• 352 appearances in all competitions
• 263 goals
• 80 assists
• 176 UAE league goals for Al Wasl
• Third place on the league’s historical scoring list at that time

The announcement identified him as Al Wasl’s leading scorer in the history of the UAE professional league. It placed him behind only Ali Mabkhout and Sebastian Tagliabue in the competition’s wider historical scoring list.

These totals came directly from Al Wasl in June 2025. His numbers may have increased through later appearances.

The 2023–24 Domestic Double

The 2023–24 season became one of the most important periods of his club career.

Al Wasl won both the UAE Pro League and the UAE President’s Cup. The number 10 contributed in the biggest matches rather than only scoring during less important fixtures.

He scored the opening goal from a penalty as Al Wasl defeated Al Nasr 4–0 in the President’s Cup final.

He also found the net in the 3–0 victory over Shabab Al Ahli that secured the league championship. The title was Al Wasl’s first UAE league success since 2007.

Winning the league and cup in the same season gave the club a historic domestic double. It also strengthened Lima’s position as one of the defining players of Al Wasl’s modern era.

UAE Citizenship and International Career

The Brazilian-born player received UAE citizenship in February 2020. This made him eligible to represent the United Arab Emirates at international level.

He made his UAE senior debut later that year.

Representing a national team brought a new level of responsibility. Club football had already made him well known in Dubai, but international matches introduced him to a much larger Asian and global audience.

He represented the UAE in World Cup qualification matches and was included in the national setup during the AFC Asian Cup period.

The development of the national side also includes experienced defenders and midfielders. A related example is veteran UAE defender Walid Abbas, whose long career covers several major periods of Emirati football.

Four Goals Against Qatar

One of the biggest matches of Fábio Lima’s career came on 19 November 2024.

The UAE defeated Qatar 5–0 during qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Lima scored four of the five goals in only 52 minutes.

His performance included two penalties and a powerful long-range free kick. Qatar entered the match as the reigning Asian champion, which made the result even more important.

FIFA highlighted his four-goal performance, while Reuters described how the result strengthened the UAE’s position in the qualifying group.

Readers can check his current domestic record through the official UAE Pro League player profile.

Playing Position and Style

Official sources describe his position in slightly different ways.

The UAE Pro League lists him as a midfielder, while Al Wasl has used him as a striker, forward and attacking playmaker. The clearest description is that he is a versatile attacking player.

His main football qualities include:

• Finishing inside and outside the penalty area
• Penalty-taking
• Free-kick ability
• Close control
• Attacking movement
• Creative passing
• Experience in important matches
• Ability to play behind a striker or closer to goal

He is especially dangerous when he receives the ball between midfield and defence. From this position, he can shoot, pass or move into the penalty area.

Why Is Fábio Lima Important to Al Wasl?

Many players perform well for a club for one or two seasons. Lima’s importance comes from his ability to remain productive for more than a decade.

He joined Al Wasl in 2014 and stayed through changing coaches, different teammates and several competitive periods. His career includes difficult seasons as well as major success.

This long service gave him a strong connection with supporters. He was present before the club’s 2023–24 double and played an important role when that success finally arrived.

His value is based on measurable results:

• Hundreds of club appearances
• More than 250 goals in all competitions by June 2025
• Regular assists
• Major domestic trophies
• Important international goals
• Long-term service to one club

Current Status

As of July 2026, Al Wasl’s official website continues to present Fábio Lima as part of its senior football structure.

The club was preparing for the 2026–27 season through preseason matches in Europe. Al Wasl’s published schedule listed its opening league fixture against United FC for 15 August 2026.

A contract renewal had been officially announced in June 2025, although the public statement did not give its exact length. For this reason, the club’s current team information is the strongest source for his latest status.

Career Achievements

His most important confirmed achievements include:

• Joining Al Wasl in 2014
• Becoming Al Wasl’s leading UAE league scorer
• Recording more than 250 club goals by June 2025
• Winning the 2023–24 UAE Pro League
• Winning the 2023–24 UAE President’s Cup
• Completing a domestic league-and-cup double
• Receiving UAE citizenship in 2020
• Representing the UAE national team
• Scoring four goals against Qatar in World Cup qualification
• Remaining an important Al Wasl player for more than a decade

Seven Interesting Facts About Fábio Lima

1. He was born in Brazil

He was born in Araçagi, a municipality in the Brazilian state of Paraíba.

2. He joined Al Wasl in 2014

His connection with the Dubai club has lasted for more than a decade.

3. He wears the number 10 shirt

The number is commonly connected with creative and attacking footballers.

4. He became a UAE citizen in 2020

His new citizenship allowed him to represent the UAE national team.

5. He scored four times against Qatar

He achieved the four-goal performance during a 5–0 World Cup qualifying victory in November 2024.

6. He helped Al Wasl win a domestic double

The club won both the UAE Pro League and President’s Cup in the 2023–24 season.

7. He became Al Wasl’s leading league scorer

The club officially credited him with 176 UAE league goals when announcing his contract renewal in June 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Fábio Lima?

Fábio Lima is a Brazilian-born Emirati professional footballer who plays for Al Wasl and has represented the United Arab Emirates national team.

What is his full name?

His full professional name is Fábio Virginio de Lima.

How old is Fábio Lima?

He was born on 30 June 1993 and is 33 years old as of July 2026.

Which club does he play for?

He is associated with Al Wasl, a professional football club based in Dubai.

What position does he play?

He plays as an attacking midfielder, forward or striker.

When did he join Al Wasl?

He joined the club in July 2014.

Does Fábio Lima play for Brazil or the UAE?

He represents the United Arab Emirates at senior international level.

How many goals did he score against Qatar?

He scored four goals as the UAE defeated Qatar 5–0 on 19 November 2024.

What trophies has he won with Al Wasl?

His major honours include the 2023–24 UAE Pro League and the 2023–24 UAE President’s Cup.

Is Fábio Lima still playing?

As of July 2026, Al Wasl’s official website continues to include him in its senior football setup.

Conclusion

Fábio Lima is one of the most important attacking players in modern Al Wasl history.

He arrived in Dubai in 2014 and built his reputation through goals, assists and long-term service. His journey later expanded to international football after he became a UAE citizen and began representing the national team.

His four goals against Qatar introduced his ability to a wider global audience. However, his larger achievement is consistency. He has continued performing for Al Wasl across many seasons and played an important part in the club’s historic 2023–24 domestic double.

For supporters searching for the main answer, Fábio Lima is the Brazilian-born Emirati number 10 who became an Al Wasl scoring icon and a major figure in UAE football.