QA: Michael Mifsud

What is it like being the most famous man in Malta?

I’m just a normal guy. I’m not a celebrity. Malta is not a very big country and being Maltese is like being part of one big family. I left there when I was 19 to try and make it as a footballer and everything has gone well so far. Everyone back home is pleased that I am doing well.

What do you miss most about Malta?

Where do you want to start? The weather, the food, the fishing.

What’s wrong with the fish in the Midlands?

I like fishing and diving in the Mediterranean. You can’t really do that in Coventry.

There’s been a lot of talk about you leaving Coventry recently.

I know there’s been some interest in me. Every player wants to play in the Premier League. I’m no different and I believe in my ability and I know that I could deal with the step up in class. At the moment, though, I’m just concentrating on doing well at Coventry.

You hit the headlines when you scored twice as Coventry knocked Manchester United out of the Carling Cup in the third round.

It was a very nice night and it was an unbelievable experience to play in front of 75,000 people. I’m not a United fan, but ever since I was a kid I have always loved the way they play. This might sound crazy, but we were confident of getting a result at Old Trafford and we showed it wasn’t a fluke by beating Blackburn \ in the FA Cup as well.

Did you get a chance to have a word with Gary Neville after the United match? Doesn’t he own half of Malta?

I don’t think so. He does a lot of work advertising and promoting Malta as a holiday destination, but I didn’t see him that night.

Why is he so obsessed with Malta? What’s wrong with Dubai?

He’s just got good taste. Malta is a bit like Italy or Spain. We’ve got beautiful weather, it’s warm all year round and we’ve got great Mediterranean food.

So it’s the perfect holiday destination?

No, that would be the Maldives.

Right, back to football. You’re a man of many nicknames — The Mosquito, The Maltese Messi, Luigi — which one is your favourite?

Everyone at Coventry calls me Luigi because they reckon I talk like an Italian. Journalists always call me The Mosquito because apparently I buzz around a lot. Nobody likes mosquitos, so I’m not a big fan of that one, but the Messi one sounds good. It is always nice to be compared to players as good as him, but I’m not in his class.

What is holding you back?

Every player has weaknesses and I’m no different. I suppose I could be better at holding up the ball — that’s definitely something I need to work on in training.

What are your strengths?

Definitely my speed. I’m pretty quick and the goal seems to like me this season. But, to be honest, I don’t like talking about myself — I’ve never seen me play.

What would you be doing if you hadn’t made it as a footballer?

I’ve always fancied myself as a bit of an entrepreneur, so I would probably have ended up in business, maybe as a property developer. That would probably pay the bills.

Interview by Kaveh Solhekol

Comments

[Jakk Baker]

Michael,
You Are possibly My Favourite Player Ever and I think the best player ever , your speed easily lets you get round the defense,
Thanks For Being Excellent For Coventry And hope you carry on this way
Jakk Baker
age 13