Veteran striker Stefan Sultana made his 509th official appearance in Maltese football in Hamrun Spartans' 1-0 Premier League victory over Msida St Joseph on Wednesday.
Kris Laferla, who retired at the end of season 2004-05, is the only other Maltese player to have figured in 509 matches. The former Valletta and Sliema defender scored 67 goals in his career.
Sultana, 39, currently holds a host of records in Maltese football. He has played the highest number of matches in the Premier League so far, 386, and is the all-time top-scorer in the top division with 188 goals. His netting against Mqabba was the 250th of his career, another record for a Maltese player at this level.
The next time Sultana turns out for Hamrun Spartans, he will set a new mark for number of appearances in Maltese football.
I hope the Maltese community gives Sultana the recognition he certainly deserves. He is a great football player and a real gentleman.