Matteo Desira Buttigieg… it is a great pride and satisfaction to wear Maltese red shirt!
Young Maltese striker Matteo Desira Buttigieg who is forming part of Malta U19s is becoming more lethal in front of goal. He spoke to MalteseFootballStarlets.com about his beginning, his present and his future of his football expectations.
Full Name - Matteo Desira Buttigieg
Date of Birth – 7th August 1993
Playing Position – Striker
Previous Clubs - Hibernians FC
National Team Levels – Under 19
Favourite Playing Number – No.9
Favourite Playing Shoes - Nike Mercurial Vapors Superfly & Adidas F50’s
Personal Achievements - With Hibernians FC- Helsinki Cup 2004. Top scorer & Awarded twice the Fair Play Award. Won the 4th Pisa World Cup 2007
League U/15 & Knock Out With Luxol St Andrews – Formed part of the Senior Team at the age of 15
Your Favourite Club – Luxol St Andrews & Liverpool
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1. Matteo, you have been on trial with Plymouth and Ipswich Town few months ago. How was your experience with these 2 English clubs and how did they contact you?
At that time I was training with Hibernians FC. During the Summer period I was training with Football Frenzy, which I had attended for several years, under the guidance of Jon Mottershead. I couldn’t make it to training that day. I received a call from Jon telling me to come immediately to St Aloysius College, as there was someone there to scout me. In no time at all I was there, where there were several other boys hoping to be chosen. I was introduced to the scout, Alan Williams who played over 550 matches during his 18 years football career in the 50s-70s with clubs like Bristol City, Oldham Athletic, Watford, Newport County, Swansea & Cheltenham Town. Alan Williams is still active in the football world as a freelance scout. There was also Wayne Perth another scout accompanying him. After an hour and a half session Jon Mottershead informed us that Alan and Wayne wanted to meet to discuss. To cut a long story short I was told that I had been chosen and would be contacted. Truly enough, two days later I received an email informing me that Ipswich FC accepted me for a trial. Three days later, with flight tickets already in hand, I also got invited by Plymouth FC to go on trial. I extended my trip to 17 days and combined both trials together.
The experience gained was tremendous! The facilities were amazing offering both indoor and outdoor pitches together with a very well equipped gym.
Both at Ipswich and Plymouth training started daily from 9.00am till 11am followed by lunch, a short break, gym and another training session finishing at 7.00pm. At Ipswich I was coached by the famous Matt Le Tissier and formed part of their team in one of their league games. Considering I formed part of the U/15 squad in Malta, both my trials were with the U/18 squad making it an even bigger challenge for me. On Alan William’s visit to Malta in January I was informed that he is still keeping tab on my progress.
2. You are playing with St.Andrews Luxol senior side in Malta’s 1st Division and already making an impact by scoring with the club. What are your views of St. Andrews this season?
Thanks to my coach Wayne Attard I have been given the opportunity to form part of the senior team. I am very lucky that Luxol St Andrews have a team consisting of young and experienced players thus giving me the opportunity to integrate and learn further. I believe that slowly but surely we will finish amongst the top three teams in the 1st Division.
3. When you were 15 years old you were bought by St. Andrews. How did this change you personally to become where you’re at now?
My move to St Andrews gave me the opportunity to improve my talents and strengthen my character. With perseverance, together with my coaches and team mates, the U/17 managed to get promoted to section A. I thank the President Paul Falzon for believing in me and taking me on as a Luxol player.
4. Do you think that young Maltese players are given enough time to show their talent in the Maltese Premier League? If no, Why?
Young Maltese players are being given the opportunity to show their talent according to their respective coach. There are coaches who prefer established players or foreigners making it more difficult for a youngster to have a chance at proving himself.
5. What is your motivation that helps you give your 100% when you play?
Having a positive attitude and encouragement from both the coach and the players.
6. What are your personal goals, with your club & with Malta U19s team?
My personal goal with Luxol St Andrews is to play regularly with the Senior Team giving me more experience until we are promoted to the Premier Division. As for the Malta Under 19 Team, my aim is to represent Malta and bring glory to our country.
7. What is it like for a young promising player like you, wearing the Maltese red shirt?
It gives me great pride and satisfaction for my commitment in football.
8. If you get an offer from a foreign club right now, what would you do?
Without having second thoughts, I would very gladly take up the opportunity of every footballers dream.
9. Where do you see yourself in 5 years time in your football career?
In 5 years time I see myself definitely playing in the Premier Division and representing The Malta National Team.
10. Name 3 attributes that you think they make a better football player?
- Believing in yourself.
- Dedication and Working Hard to be physically and mentally fit.
- Commitment and accepting constructive criticism to better yourself.
11. What are you willing to sacrifice to pursue a professional career in football?
Having such a passion for football and wanting at all cost to become a professional football player, I would sacrifice whatever it takes, to get there.
12. Who was the best player you played against and who is the best player you played/trained with?
The best player I ever played against is Matt Le Tissier in a training session whilst on trial in Ipswich and the best player I train and play with is Ronnie Hartvig.
13. If you could possible choose to play with any Maltese player, who would that be and why?
I would love to play alongside Michael Mifsud as he has reached every football players dream.
14. You have been raised and grown in Hibernians F.C Youth Nursery among St.Andrews, one of the best local nurseries. What are your thoughts about the Nursery development, the coaches’ standards and the club resources in Malta?
At the moment most nurseries have improved their standard due to synthetic pitches and better organisation. On my part I was lucky enough to have started at the age of five at a very well established nursery and even luckier to be now in one of the best nurseries offering good coaches, the best amenities around and a club that has a vision for further development.
15. Every local Nursery needs improvement to raise our football standards. In your opinion what needs to be done to see Malta developing more Maltese Football Starlets in the future?
I have always dreamt from a very young age that there should be a school where one can train football as well as continuing with his studies as is done abroad! This should also be considered for the National Team Youths. I still think it’s not too late to have one.
16. What do you say to young Maltese football players like you who want to follow your steps so we can see more young talented players?
One should be dedicated, positive, always ready to learn and should never give up. Having said that, football is not just about playing but character formation and respect for authority.
