by The Malta Football Player Association awards kick-started the end of season accolades, as nominated by coaches and then voted for by the players. Marta Grosso & Luke Montebello grabbed the highest honours of Best Player, while Nicole Sciberras and Carlo Zammit Lonardelli scored the Best Young Player awards. Former Malta international Carmel Busuttil received the MFPA Assikura Merit Award.
MFPA’s Women’s Football Winners
The end of season events have kicked off, with the first accolades being delivered by the Malta Football Players’ Association (MFPA) last Sunday. The MFPA’s best eleven were chosen in a 4-3-3 formation for both the men’s and women’s awards.
In the women’s category, Patricia Araujo (Swieqi United) claimed the best goalkeeper award in her debut season in Malta. Teammate Salamatu Abdulai was also voted among the best forwards, following a strong season to top the Assikura Women’s League scorer list with 23 goals.
Natalee Geren of Hibernians was also rewarded for a stellar debut season with the Paolites, earning a spot in the MFPA’s Best XI together with teammate Nicole Sciberras. The latter also grabbed the MFPA Women’s Best Young Player Award on the night. Brenda Borg of Mgarr United retained her spot in the Best XI in midfield, having continued to shine in linking defence to attack for the Greens.
Having bagged all three available domestic titles, it is no surprise that six of the eleven spots were claimed by players donning the striped shirt of Birkirkara. Captain Stephania Farrugia retained her spot in the back-four, as well as left-back Ann-Marie Said. Teammate Valentina Rapa bagged the right-back award. Wide-forwards Alishia Sultana and Arianna Del Moral were also in the mix, with the latter also marking her debut season with the accolade.
Birkirkara’s Marta Grosso completed the line-up of the Women’s Best XI and grabbed the most prestigious accolade of the night of MFPA’s Women’s Best Player. After last year’s debut in Malta, the Italian hit the ground running early in this season, displaying relentless work ethic for the team and came up with the goods in crucial moments to help Birkirkara on their quest for the treble.
A Night To Remember: 10th Anniversary & Carmel Busuttil
There were several mementos in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the MFPA’s full membership into FIFPRO, while attendees were also addressed by the FIFPRO President of the European Division, David Terrier.
The anniversary was not the only walk down memory lane. The MFPA Assikura Merit Award was given to Carmel Busuttil, affectionately known among football supporters as ‘il-Buzu’. The former Malta national team player, Rabat Ajax, KRC Genk, Verbania & Sliema Wanderers forward, was acknowledged for his stellar career both at club and international level.
Men’s Awards, Best Coach & Referee
Floriana’s Mauro Camoranesi was deemed to be the Best Coach in his debut season with Floriana, while Trustin Farrugia Cann retained the accolade of Best Referee.
As always, the men’s counterparts of MFPA Best XI, Best Young Player and Best Men’s Player were also awarded. The MFPA Men’s Best Young Player award was grabbed by Carlo Zammit Lonardelli following a strong season with runner’s-up Floriana.
Hamrun Spartans’ Luke Montebello claimed the highest honour of MFPA Men’s Best Player on the night, winning the accolade for the first time after topping the BOV Premier League scorer’s list with 21 goals to contribute to the Spartan’s tenth league title.
Matthew Debattista claimed the MFPA’s Best Challenge League Player award, while Kurt Borg of Mtarfa was deemed the best player in the Amateur League.
The Men’s Best XI may be perused below, followed by the full list of winners.
MFPA AWARDS 2024 – COMPLETE WINNERS‘ LIST
MFPA Men’s Best Player: Luke Montebello (Ħamrun Spartans)
MFPA Women’s Best Player: Marta Grosso (Birkirkara)
MFPA Men’s Best Young Player: Carlo Zammit Lonardelli (Floriana)
MFPA Women’s Best Young Player: Nicole Sciberras (Hibernians)
MFPA MEN’S BEST XI (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper: Rashed Al-Tumi (Sliema Wanderers)
Centre-backs: Oualid El Hasni (Floriana); Emerson Marcelina (Ħamrun Spartans)
Right-back: Carlo Zammit Lonardelli (Floriana)
Left-back: Ryan Camenzuli (Ħamrun Spartans)
Midfielders: Geoffrey Acheampong (Sliema Wanderers); Roko Prsa (Ħamrun Spartans); Yuri De Jesus Messias (Marsaxlokk)
Forwards: Pablo De Carvalho (Naxxar Lions); Luke Montebello (Ħamrun Spartans); Kemar Reid (Floriana)
MFPA Best Coach: Mauro Camoranesi (Floriana)
MFPA WOMEN’S BEST XI (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper: Patricia Araujo Da Silva (Swieqi United)
Centre-backs: Stephania Farrugia (Birkirkara); Natalee Grace Geren (Hibernians)
Right-back: Valentina Rapa (Birkirkara)
Left-back: Ann-Marie Said (Birkirkara)
Midfielders: Brenda Borg (Mġarr United); Marta Grosso (Birkirkara); Nicole Sciberras (Hibernians)
Forwards: Salamatu Abdulai (Swieqi United); Arianna Del Moral (Birkirkara); Alishia Sultana (Birkirkara)
MFPA Best Challenge League Player: Matthew Debattista (Melita)
MFPA Best Challenge League Goalkeeper: Matthew Grech (Żabbar St Patrick)
MFPA Best Challenge League Defender: Rodolfo Soares (Żabbar St Patrick)
MFPA Best Challenge League Midfielder: Matthew Debattista (Melita)
MFPA Best Challenge League Forward: Andre Penha Da Costa (Melita)
MFPA Best Amateur League Player: Kurt Borg (Mtarfa)
MFPA Best Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann
MFPA Assikura Merit Award: Carmel Busuttil
Lead Image: MFPA
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