Gabriella Zahra almost capped her Malta women’s national team career with a last-gasp goal against Belarus that could have earned her side a draw in the first friendly of the October international window on Saturday.
Unfortunately for the Birkirkara midfielder, her powerful header went straight into the hands of the Belarus goalkeeper.
Despite the miss, the final few minutes she spent on the pitch, wearing the captain’s armband, were filled with emotion as Zahra drew the curtain on an international journey spanning 61 appearances.
Zahra made her debut in 2009 under then-coach Pierre Brincat, in a UEFA Mini Tournament match against Latvia. Since then, she has been an ever-present figure within the national team setup, contributing to several landmark moments in Maltese women’s football – including two promotions to League B in the UEFA Women’s Nations League.
“I grew as a player and as a woman throughout this journey,” Zahra reflected.
“I am grateful to all my teammates, including those who are no longer playing, because they have helped me so much, and to all the coaches who gave me chances and opportunities along the way.”
Now a mother, Zahra spoke candidly about the challenges of balancing football with family life and the doubts she faced after giving birth to her son.
“After having my son, I was not sure if I would come back or in what form I would. Often, when players have children, they retire. I did not want to do that,” she explained.
“I tested myself, and although I never fully reached the same form as before, I still gave everything. But now, it is time to spend quality time with my family.”
Zahra remains committed to her club Birkirkara, where she has been a driving force behind the team’s dominance in domestic competitions.
“I’m still playing with Birkirkara because club commitments are different from national team ones,” she said.
“One of the main reasons I’m stepping away from the national team is to take care of my son. Sometimes I feel guilty for not spending enough time with him.”
Representing Malta at senior level, Zahra noted, requires sacrifices beyond the pitch – the lack of rest between club and international duties, the physical and mental demands of elite football, and the frequent long-distance travel.
“At the same time, playing time starts to dwindle, so everything happens for a reason,” she added.
Zahra emphasized that she has no fixed plan for retirement. For now, she continues to focus on Birkirkara while prioritizing her son’s schedule.
“I’m adjusting my training routine around my son’s activities. He comes first,” she said.
In 2024, the Malta Football Association (MFA) and the Malta Football Players Association (MFPA) signed a new two-year Memorandum of Understanding adhering to UEFA’s Minimum Standards Framework for Women’s National Teams, which ensures better welfare and working conditions for female players.
Zahra praised current Malta coach Manuela Tesse for her understanding and support, particularly for allowing her to bring her son to training camps – something Zahra described as crucial in helping her stay focused.
“I thank coach Tesse for always allowing me to bring my son when I was with the national team,” Zahra said. “It meant a lot and helped me stay focused.”
As she bids farewell to her country, Zahra hopes her journey, marked by dedication, sacrifice, and perseverance, will serve as an inspiration to her son.
“I just hope that one day my son looks at my career and the sacrifices I made as a source of inspiration.”
