Rachel Cuschieri
Birth date26 April 1992 (age 34)
Birth placePietà, Malta
Height1.58 m (5 ft 2 in)
PositionMidfielder
CurrentclubGenoa CFC
Clubnumber10
Youthyears 11996–2004
Youthclubs 1San Gwann
Years 12004–2014
Clubs 1Birkirkara
Years 22014–2017
Clubs 2Apollon Limassol
Caps 236
Goals 248
Years 32017–2018
Clubs 3RSC Anderlecht
Years 42018–2020
Clubs 4PSV
Caps 413
Goals 42
Years 52020–2022
Clubs 5Lazio
Caps 542
Goals 54
Years 62022–2024
Clubs 6Sampdoria
Caps 646
Goals 60
Years 72024–
Clubs 7Genoa
Caps 715
Goals 70
Nationalyears 12009–
Nationalteam 1Malta
Nationalcaps 1107
Nationalgoals 115
Pcupdate1 August 2025
Ntupdate1 August 2025

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.[citation needed]

Playing career

Club

Within a few months of joining the club, Rachel was playing with the Birkirkara first team at the age of 13. [citation needed]

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.[1]

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.[citation needed]

During the 2013 European Championship qualifying's preliminary stage, Cuschieri scored against Armenia.[2] She is currently the leading all-time scorer for and the youngest-ever goal scorer.[citation needed]

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

International goals

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.8 March 2011National Stadium, Ta'Qali, MaltaArmenia1–01–1UEFA Women's Euro 2013 qualifying
2.4 April 2015Victor Tedesco Stadium, Ħamrun, MaltaAND1–15–3UEFA Women's Euro 2017 qualifying
3.2–1
4.11 April 2017Selman Stërmasi Stadium, Tirana, AlbaniaKosovo1–03–12019 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification
5.5 March 2020Centenary Stadium, Ta'Qali, MaltaGeorgia1–02–1UEFA Women's Euro 2022 qualifying
6.27 October 2023AND5–05–02023–24 UEFA Women's Nations League
7.8 April 2025Georgia1–02–12025 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
Anderlecht
Lazio

References

  1. ^ "RACHEL CUSCHIERI IN HISTORIC FIRST". Malta Football Association. 26 July 2014. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  2. ^ Profile in UEFA's website
  3. ^ Lia, Gianluca (2024-07-21). "Rachel Cuschieri proud to mark century of games for Malta". SportsDesk. Retrieved 2024-12-15.