‘I’ve always been proud to play for my country’

All eyes will be on Michael Mifsud this evening as Maltese football unites to celebrate the international career of one its greatest ambassadors.  Making his international bow at the age of 18 in a friendly tournament match against Albania in 2000, Michael Mifsud has long embellished his status as one the country’s footballing greats. This is backed by statistics as he is the country’s most-capped player with over 140 appearances and all-time leading scorer with a total of 41 goals. Today’s match will evoke happy memories for Mifsud as he scored five goals, a record for Maltese player, in a 7-1 victory over Liechtenstein in a friendly match at the National Stadium on March 26, 2008. It will be a fitting tribute to Mifsud who is grateful for the opportunity to make one final appearance for the national team. “It’s nice to be recognised for what I’ve done for the national team,” Mifsud said. “I’d like to thank Malta FA President Bjorn Vassallo and the national coach (Devis Mangia) for giving me this opportunity.” In an international career spanning two decades, Mifsud has been among the main catalysts of Malta’s best moments. Suffice to say that Mifsud, who came through the youth ranks of Sliema Wanderers, has scored goals in every competition (EURO and World Cup qualifiers and also in the UEFA Nations League group stage) and friendlies, playing under nine different national coaches to date. Now 39 and still playing at the top level with Sirens FC, Mifsud found it difficult to single out the top highlight of his international career before mentioning the goal that gave Malta a 1-0 victory away to Armenia in a 2014 World Cup qualifier on June 7, 2013. “Every game is memorable, especially when you are representing your country,” Mifsud said. “The match against Armenia, when we won away, will remain etched in the history of Maltese football as we achieved a rare away victory. But every match is special. I've always been proud and honoured to represent my country.” YOUNG PLAYERS Just as Mifsud got his chance to play for the national team in his late teens, a number of young and up-and-coming players are making the grade to the senior squad, a rejuvenation process which has produced the desired rewards so far with Malta going into the final two matches of the UEFA Nations League, at home to Andorra and Faroe Islands, second in group D1 with five points. “There is potential with a good number of promising players coming through,” Mifsud said. “The future of the national team looks bright. My advice to the young players is to keep their feet on the ground, remain willing to learn and improve, and persevere. They must keep pushing to get better and achieve their dreams because where there is a will there is a way.” Read the full interview with Michael Mifsud in the Digital Match Programme .