The eagerly-awaited MFPA Awards 2026 are just few days away, and the final nominees have been announced following the conclusion of the voting process, which was open to all football players who are members of the MFPA.
Players and coaches who stood out during another engaging football season will be recognised at the annual MFPA Awards, this year being held this coming Monday, 4 May, at Villa Bologna in Attard.
This year’s edition marks a record, with 44 awards to be presented following the introduction of two new categories – MFPA Challenge League Best XI and MFPA Best Challenge League Coach. These additions reflect the MFPA’s continued efforts to raise the profile of the Challenge League, the second tier of Maltese football.
THREE BEST XI AWARDS
There are now three Best XI awards, with the Challenge League category joining the existing MFPA Best XI for both men and women, alongside other individual honours. As in previous editions, the MFPA will recognise a former player or personality who has made an outstanding contribution to Maltese football.
There are 22 finalists in each of the MFPA Best XI categories for men and women. In the Premier League, Ħamrun Spartans and Floriana lead the way with five nominees each, followed by Valletta with four.
Mġarr United, after a remarkable season in which they won the league, knock-out competition and the Jubilee Cup in women’s football, have the highest representation with nine nominees. Hibernians have five finalists, while Swieqi United have four.
In the Challenge League, Balzan, who secured the title on the final day, have six nominees, followed by Birżebbuġa St. Peter’s and Swieqi United with four each.
The finalists for the MFPA Best Player awards (men and women) will be revealed during the awards night, followed by the announcement of the winners. Malta international Alexander Satariano, currently playing for Athens Kallithea in Greece, and Swieqi United and Malta midfielder Shona Zammit were voted best players by their peers last year.
The final nominees for the MFPA Best Young Player awards in both the men’s and women’s categories will be announced during Monday’s event. Last year’s winners were Satariano and Hibernians midfielder Nicole Sciberras.
In addition to the minimum playing time required for eligibility, players are not allowed to vote for candidates from their own team. The initial nominees were shortlisted by a panel of coaches.
THE FINALISTS OF THE MFPA AWARDS 2026
MFPA MEN’S BEST XI (1-4-3-3)
Goalkeepers: Henry Bonello (Ħamrun Spartans); Matthias Debono (Naxxar Lions).
Centre-backs: Emerson Marcelina (Ħamrun Spartans); Gabriel Mentz (Gżira United); Iago Mendonca (Floriana); Sava Radic (Valletta).
Right-backs: Rafael Compri (Ħamrun Spartans); Juan Carlos Corbalan (Marsaxlokk).
Left-backs: Leandro Aguirre (Marsaxlokk);Ryan Camenzuli (Ħamrun Spartans).
Midfielders: Jake Grech (Floriana); Donovan Makoma (Birkirkara); Yuri Messias (Valletta); Brandon Paiber (Valletta); Federico Varela (Floriana); Dunstan Vella (Floriana).
Forwards: Thaylor Aldama (Valletta); Prince Emmanuel (Mosta); Mustapha Jah (Floriana); Joseph Mbong (Ħamrun Spartans); Jorge Soares (Marsaxlokk); Joao Souza Dos Santos – Vitinho (Naxxar Lions).
MFPA MEN’S BEST PLAYER
All the candidates for the MFPA Men’s Best XI are eligible.
MFPA MEN’S BEST YOUNG PLAYER
Finalists will be revealed during the MFPA Awards event.
MFPA BEST PREMIER LEAGUE COACH
Daniel Portela da Silva (Floriana); Thane Micallef (Valletta); Vincenzo Potenza (Marsaxlokk).
MFPA WOMEN’S BEST XI (1-4-3-3)
Goalkeepers: Patricia Araujo Da Silva (Swieqi United); Giulia D’Antuono (Mġarr United).
Centre-backs: Abigail Camilleri (Mġarr United); Leanne Cefai (Mġarr United); Natalee Geren (Hibernians); Stephania Farrugia (Birkirkara).
Right-backs: Rebecca Bajada (Mġarr United); Georgiana Mifsud (Hibernians).
Left-backs: Yanina Mendez (Mġarr United); Calista Schechinger (Hibernians).
Midfielders Eliza Csik (Valletta); Morena Fanega (San Ġwann); Amber Grech (Mġarr United); Andela Kricak (Swieqi United); Nicole Sciberras (Hibernians); Momo Ueda (Birkirkara).
Forwards: Salamatu Abdulai (Swieqi United); Yulya Carella (Mġarr United); Sylivia Kabene (Hibernians); Sara Saliba (Swieqi United); Alejandra Villegas Caly (Mġarr United); Valeria Villegas Caly (Mġarr United).
MFPA WOMEN’S BEST PLAYER
All the candidates for the MFPA Women’s Best XI are eligible.
MFPA WOMEN’S BEST YOUNG PLAYER
Finalists will be revealed during the MFPA Awards event.
MFPA WOMEN’S BEST COACH
Martina Borg (Hibernians); Dorianne Theuma (Swieqi United); Ryan Vella (Mġarr United).
MFPA CHALLENGE LEAGUE BEST XI (1-4-3-3)
Goalkeepers: Dylan Ciappara (Balzan); Reeves Cini (Pietà Hotspurs).
Centre-backs: Juan Bolanos Ramirez (Birżebbuġa St. Peter’s); Samuel Okoh (Swieqi United); Enzo Ruiz (Gudja United); Luis Gabriel Santos Silva (Balzan).
Right-backs: Isaac Davey (Swieqi United); Jake Engerer (Balzan).
Left-backs: Samir Arab (Balzan); Matteo Gambin (Fgura United).
Midfielders: Kurt Bondin (Melita); Samuel Buhagiar (Fgura United); Kian Leonardi (Swieqi United); Salam Mawuena (Swieqi United); Matthew Xuereb (Birżebbuġa St. Peter’s); Nicholas Pulis (Balzan).
Forwards: Oluwatobiloba Awosanya (Balzan); Alex De Souza Silva (Birżebbuġa St. Peter’s); Paul Lapira (Birżebbuġa St. Peter’s); Cristhyan Noto Souza (Mġarr United); Thiago Nonato (Sirens); Jesus Yepez (Melita).
MFPA CHALLENGE LEAGUE PLAYER
All the candidates for the MFPA Challenge League Best XI are eligible.
MFPA BEST CHALLENGE LEAGUE COACH
Manuel Caruana (Pietà Hotspurs); Andrew Cohen (Balzan); Edgar Degabriele (Birzebbuġa St. Peter’s); Liam Mangion (Swieqi United).
MFPA BEST AMATEUR LEAGUE 1 PLAYER
Luka Mijic (Mqabba); Rondinely Monteiro (Victoria Hotspurs); Precious Nwankwo (Attard).
MFPA BEST AMATEUR LEAGUE 2 PLAYER
Ronaldinho Daley (Dingli Swallows); Ryan Dalli (Kalkara United); Giovanni Galea (Mdina Knights).