“Goodbye Football” says ex-Malta international Ylenia Carabott, announces retirement from football

Former Malta forward Ylenia Carabott has officially announced her retirement from football, sharing an emotional post on social media on Saturday.

Carabott, 36, is regarded as one of the pioneers of the Maltese women’s game. She was part of the national team in its formative years and went on to make 97 appearances, scoring 20 goals to become the third all-time top scorer for her country.

“Goodbye Football 💔

I don’t really know how to put into words what this game has meant to me. Football has been my life since I was eight years old, watching Beckham shine for United and falling in love with the game. At fourteen I joined Hibernians, my first women’s club, and from that moment on, everything revolved around the ball at my feet,” she said in her social media post.

With Hibernians, Carabott was a consistent force from 2003/2004 to 2017/2018, except for a season at Sliema Raiders (2008/2009). She later joined Birkirkara (2018–2020), helping the Stripes to their first ever positive result in the UEFA Women’s Champions League – a 2-2 draw against Cardiff City, in which she also found the net.

“It’s taken me places I never thought I’d go — Malta, Sweden, Italy, Belgium, England. I’ve worn my country’s shirt ninety-seven times, stood for the anthem, and felt that pride that never fades. I’ve won cups and leagues, been a top scorer nine times, and shared dressing rooms with incredible teammates who turned into lifelong family and friends.”

Carabott carved out a name overseas with stints at Alby FF and Ange IF in Sweden, Chievo Fortitudo in Italy, and Charleroi in Belgium. She then moved to England, featuring for Keynsham Town and Gillingham Women, before a return to Italy with Spezia. Her final years were spent in England with London Seaward and Fylde.

“But it hasn’t always been easy. Four operations, two ACLs, and what feels like a million injuries. Long nights, endless rehabs, moments where I wondered if I’d ever come back. Still, every time, I found a way, I persevered because the game always gave me a reason.”

“Now however, I can finally admit: I’m tired. The love is still there, but my knees hurt and the joy isn’t the same. I don’t want to force it. Football deserves my whole heart and if I can’t give that anymore, it’s time to say goodbye.”

“I walk away proud. Proud of the little girl who never gave up, proud of every medal, every comeback, every fight. Proud that I gave everything I had. Proud that my parents raised this kid, this bad loser that never settled for one goal.”

“To every teammate, coach, supporter, and opponent, I thank you. You’ve been part of the best journey of my life.”

“This is not the end of my love for football. It’s simply the end of me playing it this way. A new chapter begins and I carry everything the game has given me into whatever comes next.”

“Thank you football. For all the memories, I will cherish every moment of it.”

Carabott’s career is synonymous with landmark moments for Maltese women’s football. She featured in the team that qualified for the main qualifying round of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup and was part of the squad that achieved promotion to League B in the UEFA Women’s Nations League.

Her prolific scoring and determination left an indelible mark on both her clubs and the national team.