The countdown is on! With less than a week to go before the eagerly-awaited MFPA Awards, the final nominees have been revealed. All eyes will be on the outstanding performers during season 2024-25 during the MFPA’s annual flagship event, this year taking place on 12th May at the Radisson Blu Golden Sands Resort.
A total of 36 awards will be presented on the night, including the 11 players earning a spot 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.
The winner of the MFPA Merit Award, given to a former player or football personality who has excelled during his/her career, will also be revealed on the night.
There are a total of 22 finalists in the MFPA Best XI categories for both men and women. With the 360 Sports Malta Premier title to be decided in Saturday’s championship showdown between Birkirkara and Ħamrun Spartans, the contenders for the MFPA Men’s Best XI mostly hail for the clubs who competed in the Top Six in the second phase of this season’s championship. Floriana and Sliema Wanderers, both of whom made it to the Final Four, lead the way with five nominees each.
Swieqi United, who have won their first ever women’s league title this season, and Mġarr United, league runners-up and winners of the Assikura Women’s Knock-Out, are the most represented clubs in the female categories.
The final 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. Forward Luke Montebello and Marta Grosso, who played for Ħamrun Spartans and Birkirkara respectively last season, were voted as best players by their peers in 2024 but they are not in contention this year.
There are three candidates for the MFPA Best Men’s and Women’s Young Player awards, last year won by Floriana’s Carlo Zammit Lonardelli and Nicole Sciberras, of Hibernians. Both Zammit Lonardelli and Sciberras are in contention to retain the best young player accolade.
In the Challenge League categories, the shortlisted candidates in the four categories are in the running to win the MFPA Best Overall Challenge League Player award, last year won by Melita midfielder Matthew Debattista. There are three contenders for the MFPA Best Amateur League 1 and 2 player awards.
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 selected by a panel of coaches.
Carlo Mamo, the MFPA General Secretary, said: “The MFPA Awards are all about celebrating the achievements of football players who are at the heart of our mission. We are very pleased that the popularity of this annual event has grown significantly in recent years as highlighted by the increased participation in the voting process.
“This year will see the introduction of two new awards, one for the best player of the National Amateur League 2 and the other for the best coach in the women’s league. The latter award is of particular significance as we have now achieved parity in terms of the ratio of awards for men’s and women’s football, meaning that all categories of senior women’s football as well as the coaches of the senior women’s teams are covered.
“The preparations for the 2025 MFPA Awards are now in the final stages and we look forward to another successful and enjoyable event on 12 May.”
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).