The local football community gathered at the elegant Villa Bologna in Attard on Monday night to celebrate the stars of the 2025-26 season. The annual Malta Football Players Association (MFPA) Awards honored the standout performers across all divisions, headlined by top honors for Joseph Mbong and Andela Kricak.
Joseph Mbong took home the Menโs Best Player award after a stellar year with ฤฆamrun Spartans. The 29-year-old was a driving force behind the Spartans’ title defense and their historic journey to the UEFA Conference League group stages.
In the women’s game, Swieqi Unitedโs Andela Kricak was named Best Player. The Serbian midfielder’s eight-goal season and Super Cup victory solidified her reputation as a dominant force in the Assikura Womenโs League.
The future of Maltese football looks bright with Jake Azzopardi (Valletta) and Yulya Carella (Mฤกarr United) picking up the Young Player awards. Azzopardi helped lead a resurgent Valletta to the Jubilee Cup, while Carella was instrumental in Mฤกarr Unitedโs incredible treble-winning campaign.
On the sidelines, Daniel Portela Da Silva (Floriana) was named Best Premier League Coach, while Mฤกarr Unitedโs Ryan Vella deservedly took home the Womenโs Best Coach award.
- Challenge League: Balzanโs Oluwatobiloba Awosanya was named Best Player, while Manuel Caruana (Pietร Hotspurs) earned the coaching honors.
- Amateur Leagues: Scoring machine Precious Nwankwo (Attard) and Ryan Dalli (Kalkara United) were recognized as the top players in Amateur Leagues 1 and 2 respectively.
The night concluded with a standing ovation for Raymond Vella, who received the Assikura Merit Award. A two-time MFA Footballer of the Year and legendary ฤฆamrun Spartans captain, “Mundu” was celebrated for his iconic career and 67 appearances for the national team.
2026 MFPA Winners Gallery
MFPA Best XI – Menโs Premier League
- GK: Henry Bonello (ฤฆamrun)
- DF: Emerson Marcelina (ฤฆamrun), Sava Radic (Valletta), Rafael Compri (ฤฆamrun), Leandro Aguirre (Marsaxlokk)
- MF: Jake Grech (Floriana), Yuri Messias (Valletta), Federico Varela (Floriana)
- FW: Thaylor Aldama (Valletta), Joseph Mbong (ฤฆamrun), Vitinho (Naxxar Lions)
MFPA Best XI – Womenโs League
- GK: Giulia DโAntuono (Mฤกarr)
- DF: Abigail Camilleri (Mฤกarr), Stephania Farrugia (Birkirkara), Rebecca Bajada (Mฤกarr), Yanina Mendez (Mฤกarr)
- MF: Amber Grech (Mฤกarr), Andela Kricak (Swieqi), Momo Ueda (Birkirkara)
- FW: Salamatu Abdulai (Swieqi), Yulya Carella (Mฤกarr), Valeria Villegas Caly (Mฤกarr)
Major Awards at a Glance
- Menโs Best Player: Joseph Mbong
- Womenโs Best Player: Andela Kricak
- Menโs Young Player: Jake Azzopardi
- Womenโs Young Player: Yulya Carella
- Merit Award: Raymond Vella
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