Finalists For MFPA Awards 2025 Revealed

May 6 2025

The countdown has begun for the highly anticipated 2025 MFPA Awards, set to take place on 12 May at the Radisson Blu Golden Sands Resort.

This annual flagship event will celebrate the standout performers of the 2024–25 football season across 36 award categories.

Highlights include the MFPA Best XI for both men and women, the prestigious MFPA Men’s and Women’s Best Player awards, and the MFPA Merit Award, which honours a former player or football figure with an outstanding career.

Floriana and Sliema Wanderers lead the men’s Best XI nominations with five each, while Swieqi United and Mġarr United dominate the women’s categories after their strong domestic campaigns.

Finalists for the Best Player awards will be revealed on the night. Notably, last year’s winners, Luke Montebello and Marta Grosso, are not among this year’s contenders.

Young talent will also be recognised, with three nominees each for the MFPA Best Men’s and Women’s Young Player awards. Last year’s winners, Carlo Zammit Lonardelli and Nicole Sciberras, are again in the running.

Challenge League and Amateur League players will be honoured, with new awards introduced for the National Amateur League 2 Best Player and the Best Women’s League Coach — a step toward full parity between men’s and women’s football recognition.

MFPA General Secretary Carlo Mamo praised the growth of the event and the strong voter turnout, reaffirming the MFPA’s commitment to celebrating football excellence. Final preparations are underway for what promises to be another memorable celebration.

THE FINAL NOMINEES OF THE MFPA AWARDS 2025

MFPA MEN’S BEST XI (1-4-3-3)

Goalkeepers: Emeka Kelvin Agu (Sliema Wanderers), Henry Bonello (Ħamrun Spartans).

Left-Backs: Leandro Aguirre (Marsaxlokk), Myles Beerman (Sliema Wanderers).

Right-Backs: Joseph Mbong (Ħamrun Spartans), Carlo Zammit Lonardelli (Floriana).

Centre-Backs: Gustavo Alcino (Sliema Wanderers), Jean Borg (Sliema Wanderers), Oualid El Hasni (Floriana), Gabriel Mentz (Gżira United).

Midfielders: Prince Afriyie (Mosta), Khevin Fraga (Hibernians), Mattias Garcia (Floriana) Bjorn Kristensen (Hibernians), Alexander Satariano (Birkirkara), Dunstan Vella (Floriana).

Forwards: Thaylor Aldama (Gżira United), Mohamed Awad (Sliema Wanderers), Alex Gomes (Marsaxlokk), Maxuell Maia (Birkirkara), Yuri Messias (Marsaxlokk), Franklin Sasere (Floriana).

MFPA MEN’S BEST PLAYER

All the candidates for the MFPA Men’s Best XI are nominated.

MFPA MEN’S BEST YOUNG PLAYER

Alexander Satariano (Birkirkara), Sven Xerri (Ħamrun Spartans), Carlo Zammit Lonardelli (Floriana).

MFPA BEST COACH

Darren Abdilla (Floriana), Stefano De Angelis (Birkirkara), Paul Zammit (Sliema Wanderers).

MFPA WOMEN’S BEST XI (1-4-3-3)

Goalkeepers: Patricia Araujo Da Silva (Swieqi United), Patricia Ebejer (Mġarr United).

Left-Backs: Yanina Mendez (Mġarr United), Emma Xuereb (Swieqi United).

Right-backs: Rebecca Bajada (Mġarr United), Jade Schembri (Swieqi United).

Centre-Backs: Leanne Cefai (Mġarr United), Natalee Grace Geren (Hibernians), Rafanny Andreina Mendoza (Swieqi United), Charlene Zammit (Birkirkara).

Midfielders: Luana Cabral (Birkirkara), Michaela Cachia (Swieqi United), Tourki Chaimaa (San Ġwann), Amber Grech (Mġarr United), Nicole Sciberras (Hibernians), Shona Zammit (Swieqi United).

Forwards: Karima Abdulai (Swieqi United), Salamatu Abdulai (Swieqi United), Erica Bispo (Birkirkara), Alexis Veronica Espitia (Hibernians), Hailey Russell (San Ġwann), Valeria Villegas Caly (Mġarr United).

MFPA WOMEN’S BEST PLAYER

All the candidates for the MFPA Women’s Best XI are nominated.

MFPA WOMEN’S BEST YOUNG PLAYER

Michaela Cachia (Swieqi United), Yulya Carella (Mġarr United), Nicole Sciberras (Hibernians).

MFPA WOMEN’S BEST COACH

Kenneth Costantino (Hibernians), Dorianne Theuma (Swieqi United), Ryan Vella (Mġarr United).

MFPA CHALLENGE LEAGUE

Goalkeepers: Timothy Aquilina (Valletta), Reeves Cini (Pietà Hotspurs), Andreas Vella (Tarxien Rainbows).

Defenders: Darren Borg (Żurrieq), Neil Micallef (Valletta), Juan Pablo Morales (Swieqi United).

Midfielders: Jake Azzopardi (Valletta), Thomas Melillo (Pietà Hotspurs), Brandon Paiber (Valletta).

Forwards: Sulahmana Bah (Żurrieq), Andrei Ciolacu (Valletta), Duvan Torres (Żebbuġ Rangers)

MFPA BEST OVERALL CHALLENGE LEAGUE PLAYER

The candidates in the four Challenge League categories are nominated.

MFPA BEST AMATEUR LEAGUE 1 PLAYER

Julian Azzopardi (Birżebbuġa St Peter’s), Godwin Emmanuel (Vittoriosa Stars), Ricardo Velasquez (San Ġwann).

MFPA BEST AMATEUR LEAGUE 2 PLAYER

Rondinely Monteiro (Victoria Hotspurs), Andres Tenorio (Mqabba), Timothy Thomas (Kalkara).

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Ħamrun Spartans and Birkirkara to face off in the Championship Final on Saturday, 10th May, at 18:00PM

May 6 2025

Ħamrun Spartans and Birkirkara to face off in the Championship Final on Saturday, 10th May, at 18:00 at the National Stadium in Ta’ Qali.

The play-off for the 3rd place is set for Friday, 9th May, with Sliema Wanderers facing Floriana at 20:30, to be held at Tony Bezzina Stadium.

The relegation play-off is scheduled for Friday, 9th May, with Melita and Naxxar Lions set to meet at Tony Bezzina Stadium at 18:15.

Are you excited for these matches?

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PM Visits Ongoing Works At Ta’ Qali National Football Centre

May 6 2025

Prime Minister Robert Abela, accompanied by Minister for Home Affairs, Security and Employment Byron Camilleri, and Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation Clifton Grima, visited the ongoing works at the National Football Centre in Ta’ Qali.

The Centre is a major project for sports infrastructure and a key part of the Malta Football Association’s (MFA) strategic plan.

The Prime Minister was joined by an MFA delegation led by President Bjorn Vassallo, who, together with the project’s architects, provided a detailed overview of the current stage of the works and future plans.

The Centre is designed to become the heart of Maltese football—from grassroots to the highest professional levels—and will host facilities such as sports science labs, a medical and physiotherapy centre, a gym, meeting halls, technical offices, and a UEFA Category 1 stadium built to top European standards with a focus on sustainability.

The project is being financed with assistance from the Malta Development Bank and is guaranteed by the National Development and Social Fund.

During the visit, the Prime Minister also met with the Women’s National Team during their training session.

The team is approaching a historic moment, facing Cyprus on May 30, where a win would secure their promotion to Group B of the Nations League for the second time—a major step forward for Maltese sport and gender equality in sports.

The Prime Minister praised the players’ dedication, saying their work is an inspiration to many. “This is not just a sporting achievement, but a national success that reflects our vision to continue investing in facilities and opportunities for everyone,” concluded Prime Minister Robert Abela.

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Slovenia’s Klemen Recreates All Eurovision Winners (2000-2024)

May 6 2025

Slovenian actor and impersonator Klemen Slakonja has stunned Eurovision fans with a viral video in which he transforms into every Eurovision winner from 2000 to 2024.

Just weeks before taking the Eurovision stage himself in Basel with the song How Much Time Do We Have Left, Klemen released a high-energy tribute that reimagines 25 winners in a single dazzling performance.

The video showcases Klemen’s trademark mix of vocal talent, comedic flair, and attention to detail.

From Sweden’s Loreen and Italy’s Måneskin to Austria’s Conchita Wurst and Switzerland’s 2023 winner Nemo, each transformation is crafted with incredible accuracy through costumes, makeup, and spot-on vocals.

Produced with a dedicated team of stylists, designers, and makeup artists, the video quickly gained traction on YouTube and TikTok, earning praise from fans across Europe. Klemen describes the project as a tribute to Eurovision’s enduring legacy and spirit of creativity.

More than just a medley, the video serves as a celebration of Eurovision’s evolving identity and vibrant history.

As the contest’s excitement builds once again, Klemen’s inventive homage is already being hailed as one of this year’s most entertaining highlights.

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