Etienne Barbara

Malta

Barbara started his career as a youth player with Qormi. After having been spotted by scouts following some impressive displays, he earned a move to play in the Maltese Premier League with Floriana in July 1999. Early in his career with them, he was often used in defensive positions and although he played 74 games with the club he only managed eight goals – all which were all scored during the 2001–02 season. In 2002, Barbara received his first call up to the Maltese national team due to a number of impressive performances for Floriana. With Barbara in high demand he moved on from Floriana after four years of service, and joined ambitious newly promoted club Marsaxlokk on 25 January 2003. He scored 21 goals in 43 games. Following two successful years, and a series of impressive displays with Marsaxlokk, Barbara earned a move to join up with Birkirkara in January 2005. In two seasons, Barbara managed 31 goals in 59 appearances with Birkirkara, but was forced to leave the club in July 2007, when he was and teammate Roderick Briffa were deemed surplus to requirements, following a major reshuffle in the playing staff the club. Barbara transferred from Birkirkara to Sliema Wanderers in July 2007, and signed a two-year deal, where he teamed up with former team mate Roderick Briffa who had joined earlier in the month. He remained with Malta’s most successful club for one season, making a total of 23 appearances and scoring eight goals, but indicated he would leave at…

Barbara made his international debut for Malta during a UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying match away to Israel, which ended with an impressive 2–2 draw. He scored his first and second goals in the same match during the Malta International Tournament, when Malta defeated Estonia with a 5–2 scoreline. Barbara scored the third of his international goals in a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Bulgaria in a 1–1 draw, an equaliser to cancel out an earlier goal from Chavdar Yankov. Barbara has played as a midfielder, a striker, and a winger during his times with the national team, and is great at creating goal scoring opportunities.

International goals

Individual

NASL Golden Boot: 2011 NASL MVP: 2011