A compelling football season that has offered unrelenting drama and emotions at all levels of Maltese football will come into focus on Sunday, 5th May as the main protagonists – the football players – will be vying to make their mark on the MFPA Awards 2024, this year being held at the Radisson Golden Sands Resort.

As preparations for the annual flagship event of the Malta Football Players Association gather momentum, the final nominees have been revealed following the conclusion of voting which was open to all football players who are members of the MFPA.

A total of 35 awards will be presented on the night, including the 11 players selected in the MFPA Best XI for both men and women, and the two most coveted prizes – the MFPA Men’s and Women’s Best Player. As in previous editions, the MFPA will also honour a former player or personality who has made an outstanding contribution to Maltese football. 

There are a total of 22 finalists in the MFPA Best XI categories for both men and women. Ħamrun Spartans, who have retained the BOV Premier League crown, and runners-up Floriana have the highest numbers of nominees in the top-tier categories while Birkirkara, who have completed a league, KO and Super Cup treble in the women’s competitions, and league runners-up Swieqi United are the most represented clubs in the female categories.

The final three nominees for the MFPA best player awards (men and women) will be unveiled during the MFPA Awards night followed by the announcement of the winner. Malta midfielder Matthew Guillaumier, currently turning out for Stal Mielec in Poland, and Swieqi United’s Jade Flask were voted as best players by their peers last year.

There are three candidates for the MFPA Best Men’s and Women’s Young Player awards, last year won by Valletta’s Shaun Dimech and Sara Saliba, of Birkirkara.

The candidates in the  Challenge League categories are in the running to win the MFPA Best Challenge League Player award, last year won by Lydon Micallef, of Sliema Wanderers. There are three contenders for the MFPA Best Amateur League player award which was introduced in 2022.

In addition to the eligibility criteria over the minimum playing time for all the nominees, players could not vote for a candidate who plays for the same team. The initial nominees were shortlisted by a panel of coaches. 

10 YEARS OF FIFPRO MEMBERSHIP

This year’s awards event will also commemorate an important milestone for the MFPA – the 10th anniversary since the Association was accepted as a full member of FIFPRO, the trade union representing football players worldwide.

Carlo Mamo, MFPA General Secretary, said: “Being the biggest annual event organised by our Association, the MFPA Awards entails months of preparations as we strive to put on an enjoyable show to recognise and celebrate the achievements of football players at the end of a demanding season.

“Driven by our commitment to support our members in the best way possible, the MFPA has evolved over the years and the support of FIFPRO is crucial for us to sustain and increase our services, assistance programmes and projects. 10 years of FIFPRO membership is an important milestone for the MFPA and we look forward to commemorating this anniversary during the awards night on 5th May.”

THE FINALISTS OF THE MFPA AWARDS 2024

MFPA MEN’S BEST XI (4-3-3)

Goalkeepers: Rashed Al-Tumi (Sliema Wanderers); Georgi Kitanov (Floriana).

Centre-backs: Murilo Henrique Bernardo (Sliema Wanderers); Jean Borg (Sliema Wanderers); Oualid El Hasni (Floriana); Emerson Marcelina (Ħamrun Spartans).

Right-backs: Joseph Mbong (Ħamrun Spartans); Carlo Zammit Lonardelli (Floriana).

Left-backs: Ryan Camenzuli (Ħamrun Spartans); Maksim Valadzko (Floriana).

Midfielders: Geoffrey Acheampong (Sliema Wanderers); Yuri De Jesus Messias (Marsaxlokk); Edson Farias (Naxxar Lions); Matias Nicolas Garcia (Floriana); Roko Prsa (Ħamrun Spartans); Dunstan Vella (Floriana).

Forwards: Pablo De Carvalho (Naxxar Lions); Matheus De Sousa (Floriana); Uros Djuranovic (Ħamrun Spartans); Jonny Do Nascimento (Ħamrun Spartans); Luke Montebello (Ħamrun Spartans); Kemar Reid (Floriana).

MFPA MEN’S BEST PLAYER 

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

MFPA MEN’S BEST YOUNG PLAYER 

Rashed Al-Tumi (Sliema Wanderers); Paul Mbong (Birkirkara); Carlo Zammit Lonardelli (Floriana).

MFPA BEST COACH

Mauro German Camoranesi (Floriana); Paul Zammit (Sliema Wanderers); Luciano Zauri (Ħamrun Spartans).

MFPA WOMEN’S BEST XI (4-3-3)

Goalkeepers: Patricia Araujo Da Silva (Swieqi United); Janice Xuereb (Birkirkara).

Centre-backs: Stephania Farrugia (Birkirkara); Natalee Grace Geren (Hibernians); Rafanny Andreina Mendoza (Swieqi United); Charlene Zammit (Birkirkara).

Right-backs: Rebecca Bajada (Mġarr United); Valentina Rapa (Birkirkara).

Left-backs: Kiley Nicole Norkus (Hibernians); Ann-Marie Said (Birkirkara).

Midfielders: Brenda Borg (Mġarr United); Luana Vitoria Cabral (Mġarr United); Marta Grosso (Birkirkara); Veronique Mifsud (Birkirkara); Nicole Sciberras (Hibernians); Shona Zammit (Swieqi United).

Forwards: Karima Abdulai (Swieqi United); Salamatu Abdulai (Swieqi United); Joelma Alves Gabriel (Mġarr United); Arianna Del Moral (Birkirkara); Alexis Veronica Espitia (Hibernians); Alishia Sultana (Birkirkara).

MFPA WOMEN’S BEST PLAYER 

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

MFPA WOMEN’S BEST YOUNG PLAYER 

Kaysia Micallef (Swieqi United); Veronique Mifsud (Birkirkara); Nicole Sciberras (Hibernians).

MFPA CHALLENGE LEAGUE

Goalkeepers: Reeves Cini (Pietà Hotspurs); Matthew Grech (Żabbar St Patrick).

Defenders: Christian Grech (Senglea Athletic); Rodolfo Soares (Żabbar St Patrick).

Midfielders: Matthew Debattista (Melita); James Scicluna (Żabbar St Patrick).

Forwards: Augusto Renè Caseres (Marsa); Andre Penha Da Costa (Melita).

MFPA BEST OVERALL CHALLENGE LEAGUE PLAYER

All the candidates in the four Challenge League categories are nominated.

MFPA BEST AMATEUR LEAGUE PLAYER

Kurt Borg (Mtarfa); Weverton Gomes (Pembroke Athleta); Jurgen Suda (Mġarr United).

MFPA BEST REFEREE

Ishmael Barbara; Trustin Farrugia Cann; Slobodan Petrovic.

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Jitħabbru l-finalisti tal-MFPA Awards 2024

L-avveniment annwali se jsir fil-5 ta’ Mejju fil-lukanda Radisson Golden Sands

Il-Malta Football Players Association se tkun qed tonora lill-plejers u protagonisti li spikkaw matul staġun ieħor eċċitanti meta għal sena oħra se torganizza l-MFPA Awards nhar il-Ħadd, 5 ta’ Mejju fil-lukanda Radisson Golden Sands.

It-tħejjijiet għall-avveniment ewlieni li l-MFPA tospita ta’ kull sena issa jinsabu fi stadju avvanzat u l-finalisti f’kull kategorija għadhom kemm ġew imħabbra wara li ntemmet il-votazzjoni li kienet miftuħa għall-plejers kollha li huma membri tal-MFPA.

Total ta’ 35 premju se jiġu ppreżentati matul is-serata, inklużi l-11-il plejer li se jiffurmaw parti mill-MFPA Best XI għall-istaġun 2023-24 fil-kampjonati prinċipali kemm tal-irġiel kif ukoll tan-nisa, flimkien mal-iktar żewġ unuri prestiġġjużi – l-MFPA Best Player. Bħal fl-edizzjonijiet preċedenti, il-MFPA se tkun qed tonora wkoll eks plejer jew personalità li tat kontribut straordinarju lill-futbol Malti.

Għall-unuri tal-MFPA Best XI hemm total ta’ 22 finalist f’kull kategorija. Ħamrun Spartans, li rebħu l-kampjonat Premier għat-tieni sena konsekuttiva, u Floriana, l-isfidanti ewlenin li huma ċerti mit-tieni post, għandhom l-akbar ammont ta’ nominati filwaqt li Birkirkara, li rebħu l-kampjonat, in-Knock-Out u s-Super Cup fil-kompetizzjonijiet tan-nisa, u Swieqi United, it-tieni tim fil-klassifika, huma l-iktar klabbs rappreżentati fejn jidħlu numru ta’ kandidati għall-post fl-MFPA Women’s Best XI.

It-tliet finalisti għall-unuri MFPA Best Player (irġiel u nisa) u r-rebbieħa jkunu magħrufa waqt is-serata tal-MFPA Awards. Fl-2023, dawn l-unuri ntrebħu minn Matthew Guillaumier, il-midfielder internazzjonali li dan l-istaġun qed jilgħab ma’ Stal Mielec fil-Polonja, u Jade Flask, plejer li tilgħab mat-tim nazzjonali tan-nisa u Swieqi United.

Għall-unuri tal-MFPA Best Young Player (irġiel u nisa), insibu tliet nominati – dawn l-awards intrebħu minn Shaun Dimech ta’ Valletta u Sara Saliba, ta’ Birkirkara, is-sena li għaddiet.

Il-finalisti fil-kategoriji taċ-Challenge League huma wkoll biċ-ċans li jirbħu l-premju tal-MFPA Best Overall Challenge League Player, unur li ntrebaħ minn Lydon Micallef ta’ Sliema Wanderers is-sena l-oħra. Hemm ukoll tliet kandidati għall-MFPA Best Amateur League player li ġie introdott fl-2022.

Minbarra l-kriterji ta’ eligibbiltà marbuta mal-ħin minimu ta’ logħob effettiv għan-nominati kollha, il-plejers ma setgħux jivvutaw għall-plejer/s mill-istess tim. In-nominati fil-fażi inizjali ntagħżlu minn panel ta’ kowċis fil-kategoriji rispettivi.

10 SNIN MEMBRI TAL-FIFPRO

L-MFPA Awards ta’ din is-sena għandhom sinifikat speċjali billi l-Assoċjazzjoni qed tfakkar l-10 anniversarju minn meta ġiet aċċettata bħala membru sħiħ tal-FIFPRO, l-organizzazzjoni dinjija li tirrappreżenta lill-plejers tal-futbol.

Carlo Mamo, Segretarju Ġenerali tal-MFPA, qal: “Bħala l-avveniment ewlieni li l-MFPA torganizza kull sena, l-MFPA Awards jeħtieġu xhur twal ta’ preparazzjoni biex intellgħu spettaklu li jiċċelebra u jirrikonoxxi b’mod xieraq il-wirjiet u s-suċċessi tal-plejers matul l-istaġun.

“L-MFPA hija xprunata mill-impenn kontinwu biex noffru appoġġ kostanti lill-plejers membri u s-sostenn tal-FIFPRO huwa kruċjali għalina biex insostnu u anke nżiedu s-servizzi, programmi ta’ assistenza u proġetti. Għaxar snin bħala membri sħaħ tal-FIFPRO huwa tragward importanti għall-MFPA u nħarsu ‘l quddiem biex niċċelebraw dan l-anniversarju matul l-MFPA Awards fil-5 ta’ Mejju.”

IL-FINALISTI TAL-MFPA AWARDS 2024

MFPA MEN’S BEST XI (4-3-3)

Goalkeepers: Rashed Al-Tumi (Sliema Wanderers); Georgi Kitanov (Floriana).

Centre-backs: Murilo Henrique Bernardo (Sliema Wanderers); Jean Borg (Sliema Wanderers); Oualid El Hasni (Floriana); Emerson Marcelina (Ħamrun Spartans).

Right-backs: Joseph Mbong (Ħamrun Spartans); Carlo Zammit Lonardelli (Floriana).

Left-backs: Ryan Camenzuli (Ħamrun Spartans); Maksim Valadzko (Floriana).

Midfielders: Geoffrey Acheampong (Sliema Wanderers); Yuri De Jesus Messias (Marsaxlokk); Edson Farias (Naxxar Lions); Matias Nicolas Garcia (Floriana); Roko Prsa (Ħamrun Spartans); Dunstan Vella (Floriana).

Forwards: Pablo De Carvalho (Naxxar Lions); Matheus De Sousa (Floriana); Uros Djuranovic (Ħamrun Spartans); Jonny Do Nascimento (Ħamrun Spartans); Luke Montebello (Ħamrun Spartans); Kemar Reid (Floriana).

MFPA MEN’S BEST PLAYER 

In-nominati għall-MFPA Men’s Best XI huma biċ-ċans li jirbħu dan l-unur.

MFPA MEN’S BEST YOUNG PLAYER 

Rashed Al-Tumi (Sliema Wanderers); Paul Mbong (Birkirkara); Carlo Zammit Lonardelli (Floriana).

MFPA BEST COACH

Mauro German Camoranesi (Floriana); Paul Zammit (Sliema Wanderers); Luciano Zauri (Ħamrun Spartans).

MFPA WOMEN’S BEST XI (4-3-3)

Goalkeepers: Patricia Araujo Da Silva (Swieqi United); Janice Xuereb (Birkirkara).

Centre-backs: Stephania Farrugia (Birkirkara); Natalee Grace Geren (Hibernians); Rafanny Andreina Mendoza (Swieqi United); Charlene Zammit (Birkirkara).

Right-backs: Rebecca Bajada (Mġarr United); Valentina Rapa (Birkirkara).

Left-backs: Kiley Nicole Norkus (Hibernians); Ann-Marie Said (Birkirkara).

Midfielders: Brenda Borg (Mġarr United); Luana Vitoria Cabral (Mġarr United); Marta Grosso (Birkirkara); Veronique Mifsud (Birkirkara); Nicole Sciberras (Hibernians); Shona Zammit (Swieqi United).

Forwards: Karima Abdulai (Swieqi United); Salamatu Abdulai (Swieqi United); Joelma Alves Gabriel (Mġarr United); Arianna Del Moral (Birkirkara); Alexis Veronica Espitia (Hibernians); Alishia Sultana (Birkirkara).

MFPA WOMEN’S BEST PLAYER 

In-nominati għall-MFPA Women’s Best XI huma biċ-ċans li jirbħu dan l-unur.

MFPA WOMEN’S BEST YOUNG PLAYER 

Kaysia Micallef (Swieqi United); Veronique Mifsud (Birkirkara); Nicole Sciberras (Hibernians).

MFPA CHALLENGE LEAGUE

Goalkeepers: Reeves Cini (Pietà Hotspurs); Matthew Grech (Żabbar St Patrick).

Defenders: Christian Grech (Senglea Athletic); Rodolfo Soares (Żabbar St Patrick).

Midfielders: Matthew Debattista (Melita); James Scicluna (Żabbar St Patrick).

Forwards: Augusto Renè Caseres (Marsa); Andre Penha Da Costa (Melita).

MFPA BEST OVERALL CHALLENGE LEAGUE PLAYER

In-nominati fil-kategoriji abbinati maċ-Challenge League huma biċ-ċans li jirbħu dan l-unur.

MFPA BEST AMATEUR LEAGUE PLAYER

Kurt Borg (Mtarfa); Weverton Gomes (Pembroke Athleta); Jurgen Suda (Mġarr United).

MFPA BEST REFEREE

Ishmael Barbara; Trustin Farrugia Cann; Slobodan Petrovic.