In attendance, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, UEFA Vice-President Jesper Møller Christensen, and Italian legends Fabio Cannavaro and Christian Vieri joined the celebrations, alongside MFA President Bjorn Vassallo, several Maltese ministers, and parliamentary secretary Omar Farrugia.

Speaking at the event, which also marked the 125th anniversary of the Malta Football Association, Abela praised the MFA’s “hard work and dedication” in growing both the passion for football and the facilities that support the game.

“This investment, worth millions, is equipping our national game with the facilities it needs to be fit for the future. It is about giving our national teams the best possible support while also opening up opportunities for more Maltese to get involved in the game,” Abela said.

He also applauded initiatives like Football for Integration and Play Green, which focus on community inclusion and environmental sustainability in sport.

The Prime Minister compared the moment to other major milestones in Maltese football, including the opening of the National Stadium in the 1980s and the historic run by Ħamrun Spartans, who became the first Maltese club to reach the league stage of a major European competition.

The National Football Centre itself is stacked with top-class facilities: a Category 1 stadium, sports science labs, a physiotherapy clinic, a gym, recovery zones, meeting and lecture rooms, and modern admin spaces.

Looks like Maltese football is finally getting the infrastructure to match its ambition.

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