Shakira Bugeja has once again been recognised as one of the standout names in Maltese beach soccer after being named Best Player of the 2026 Beach Soccer Championship in the women’s competition.
The Birkirkara Beach Soccer player received the honour for the second year in a row, underlining her consistency and importance to her team.
Bugeja, aged 24, played a key role in Birkirkara’s successful campaign, which ended with the side lifting the women’s championship title after a thrilling final against Sliema.
The match could hardly have been closer, with Birkirkara eventually winning 8-7 on penalties after a hard-fought contest. Club updates also described Shakira as the tournament’s Best Player and captain, while confirming Birkirkara’s penalty shootout victory over Sliema.
It was a memorable finish to the women’s competition, with Birkirkara also celebrating another individual award. Rachelle Lynn Borg was named Best Women’s Goalkeeper, completing a strong awards night for the champions.
Sliema also had reason to be proud, as Brazilian striker Vanessa Honorio Carneiro finished as the women’s tournament top scorer.
Men’s Awards Also Confirmed
In the men’s competition, Mantas Makutunovicius was named Best Player of the 2026 Beach Soccer Championship after helping Sliema win the men’s title.
The Lithuanian international made a major impact in the final, scoring twice as Sliema defeated La Playa de Arena 3-1 after extra time at Bajja s-Sabiħa, Birżebbuġa.
The Best Men’s Goalkeeper award went to Jonathan Grech of La Playa de Arena.
The men’s top scorer award was shared by Ayoub Ahmad of WA Agency and Mario Dominicus of Costa Viola, who both finished the competition with 24 goals.
Awards Presented After The Finals
The awards were presented by Malta Beach Soccer Association president Mauro Camilleri Darmanin and MFA vice-president Adrian Casha.
For Shakira Bugeja, the latest honour marks another strong chapter in her beach soccer journey. Winning the Best Player award once is a major achievement, doing it in back-to-back years makes it even more special.
Credit: Malta Beach Soccer
