Rachel Cuschieri

Rachel Cuschieri (born 26 April 1992) is a Maltese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Italian Serie B club Genoa CFC and the Malta women's national team. She first played in the Champions League in 2010.

Early life

Rachel began playing football at the age of five with San Gwann Football Nursery. She trained up to the age of 13 with the boys' team being the only girl in that age group. San Gwann Football Nursery does not have a ladies football team and her development could not progress any further due to restrictions in place within the Maltese footballing authorities that, although she was still a minor she could not play competitive games. Birkirkara F.C.'s women's team became aware of her potential and signed her.

Playing career Club Within a few months of joining the club, Rachel was playing with the Birkirkara first team at the age of 13.

During the summer of 2014, she became the first Maltese female professional footballer to play outside Malta, when she signed for Cypriot side Apollon Limassol.

International Cuschieri was selected for the Malta women's national football team and made her debut against Switzerland at the age of 14, which at the time was a record.

During the 2013 European Championship qualifying's preliminary stage, Cuschieri scored against Armenia. She is currently the leading all-time scorer for and the youngest-ever goal scorer.

On 16 July 2024, Cuschieri made her 100th appearance for Malta in a 3–1 defeat to Portugal.

International goals No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 8 March 2011 National Stadium, Ta' Qali, Malta 1–0 1–1 UEFA Women's Euro 2013 qualifying 2. 6 April 2013 National Stadium, Ta' Qali, Malta 3–0 6–0 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification 3. 9 April 2013 2–0 2–0 4. 4 April 2015 Victor Tedesco Stadium, Ħamrun, Malta 1–1 5–3 UEFA Women's Euro 2017 qualifying 5. 2–1 6. 11 April 2017 Selman Stërmasi Stadium, Tirana, Albania 1–0 3–1 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification 7. 5 March 2020 Centenary Stadium, Ta' Qali, Malta 1–0 2–1 UEFA Women's Euro 2022 qualifying 8. 27 October 2023 5–0 5–0 2023–24 UEFA Women's Nations League 9. 8 April 2025 1–0 2–1 2025 UEFA Women's Nations League

Honours Birkirkara Maltese League (5): 2006/07, 2008/09, 2009/10, 2011/12, 2012/13 Maltese Cup (8): 2004/05, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2012/13, 2013/14

Apollon Cypriot First Division (3): 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17 Cypriot Cup (3): 2014/15, 2015/16. 2016/17 Cypriot Super Cup (2): 2015, 2017

Anderlecht Belgian Super League (1): 2017/18

Lazio Serie B (1): 2020/21