At just 19 years old, Emili Mitkovska is already writing one of the most interesting young stories in North Macedonian women’s football.
Officially named the Best Player of the League in North Macedonia for 2025, Emili has built her reputation through speed, directness, goals, and a professional mentality that goes far beyond her age. After scoring 15 of Rečica’s 23 goals in the 2024/25 season, she continued her rise with Skopje, winning the 2025/26 championship title and scoring 17 goals in the league.
Now, after signing with Hungarian club St. Mihály Szeged, Emili is ready for her first major step abroad. The expectations are high, but so is her motivation. She knows she has talent — but what makes her even more interesting is that she understands talent alone is never enough.
For womengool.com, Emili speaks about her move to Hungary, her development, the importance of hard work, women’s football in North Macedonia, and the dreams that still push her forward.
Emili, you were officially named the Best Player of the League in North Macedonia for 2025. What did that recognition mean to you personally, and how much confidence did it give you for the next step in your career?
Being named the Best Player of the League in North Macedonia was a very special moment for me. It felt like a reward for all the hard work, sacrifices, and dedication I have put into football over the years.
Of course, it gave me a lot of confidence, because every player wants to feel that her work is recognized. But at the same time, I didn’t see it as the final goal. I saw it as motivation to continue working even harder.
That award reminded me that this is only the beginning. I know I still have a lot to learn and improve, and that is what motivates me the most. Recognition is beautiful, but progress comes only through daily work.
You recently signed with St. Mihály Szeged in Hungary. How do you feel about this move, and what are your first thoughts about starting a new chapter outside North Macedonia?
I am really excited about this move. Signing for St. Mihály is a big step in my career and also my first experience playing abroad, so it is something I have been looking forward to.
Of course, everything will be new, a new country, new teammates, a different culture, a different league, and new expectations. But I see all of that as a great opportunity to grow, not only as a player but also as a person.
My goal is to adapt as quickly as possible, work hard every day, and help the team achieve its goals. I know that the beginning will require patience and discipline, but I am ready for that challenge.
Hungarian football is becoming an important destination for talented Balkan players. What kind of challenge do you expect in Hungary, both physically and tactically?
I expect a big challenge because football in Hungary is different from football in North Macedonia, both physically and tactically. I believe the game will be faster, more intense, and more competitive.
That is exactly why I wanted to take this step. If you want to develop, you have to leave your comfort zone and test yourself at a higher level.
I know I will need time to adapt, but I am ready to learn. I want to improve my understanding of the game, become stronger in duels, make faster decisions, and become more complete as a player.
You are known as an exceptionally fast winger with strong attacking potential. How would you describe your playing style?
I would describe myself as a fast and direct player. My biggest strengths are my speed, my one-on-one ability, and my desire to attack space.
I like to make runs behind the defence, especially when my teammates play long balls or when there is space to exploit. I enjoy situations where I can use my speed to create danger, either by scoring or by creating opportunities for my teammates.
But for me, speed is not enough by itself. I want to use it intelligently. I am working on my decision-making, movement without the ball, and final pass, because those details are what make an attacking player more dangerous.
In the 2025/26 season, you scored 17 goals in the championship. What was the key behind such a productive season, and where do you feel you improved the most?
I think the key was consistency, hard work, and the trust I had from my coaches and teammates. When you work hard every day in training, that gives you confidence during matches.
I feel I improved the most in my decision-making in the final third, my movement without the ball, and my calmness in front of goal. Those things are very important for a winger or attacking player, because sometimes one small decision can change the match.
Before joining Skopje, you played for Rečica, where in the 2024/25 season you scored 15 of your team’s 23 goals. How did that responsibility shape your mentality as a young attacking player?
Playing for Rečica and scoring 15 of the team’s 23 goals gave me a lot of responsibility at a young age. I knew the team was relying on me in important moments, and that pushed me to become more focused and mentally stronger.
But the most important thing for me was the trust I received from my coach and teammates. My coach believed in me, and my teammates supported me and pushed me forward. That trust gave me confidence and helped me grow.
With Skopje, you won the championship title in the 2025/26 season. What did that title teach you about winning, pressure, and being part of a successful team?
Winning the championship title with Skopje in the 2025/26 season taught me a lot about what it takes to be successful.
I learned that winning is not only about individual quality. It is about consistency, discipline, team spirit, and hard work throughout the whole season. You cannot win a championship with one good match — you have to be focused every week.
It also taught me how to handle pressure in important moments. When expectations are high, you have to stay calm and continue doing your job.
You are still very young, but already have experience with the North Macedonia U19 national team. What does representing your country mean to you, and what are your ambitions with the national team in the future?
Representing North Macedonia at U19 level means a lot to me. It is a big honor and a proud moment for me and my family, because playing for your country is something every player dreams about.
Every time I wear the national team jersey, I feel extra motivation. It reminds me that I am not only playing for myself, but also representing my country, my family, my coaches, and everyone who supported me.
My ambition is to keep progressing and, hopefully, one day reach the senior national team. That would be a very important step for me. I want to represent my country at the highest level and show that North Macedonia has talented players who can compete internationally.
Women’s football in North Macedonia is developing, but it still needs more visibility and support. What do you think should be done to bring more attention to talented girls and young players in your country?
I think women’s football in North Macedonia needs more visibility and more support. There are talented girls in our country, but they need better conditions, more opportunities, and more media attention.
Investment in youth development is very important. Young girls need good coaches, quality training, and clubs that believe in them. The earlier they receive proper support, the better they can develop.
Media also plays a big role. When young players see women’s football on television, online, or in the news, they understand that their dreams are possible. Visibility brings motivation.
Many young girls in North Macedonia can now look at you as an example, a player who became the best in the league and earned a move abroad. What message would you send to girls who dream of playing football professionally?
My message to young girls is to believe in themselves and never give up, even when things become difficult. Talent is important, but hard work, discipline, and consistency are what really make the difference. You have to be ready to work every day, even when nobody is watching. Sometimes progress is slow, but if you stay focused, it will come.
I was also once a girl with a dream, so I know how it feels. I know there are doubts, difficult days, and moments when you ask yourself if it is worth it. But if football is truly what you love, you have to keep going.
Dreams can become real, but only if you are brave enough to work for them.
Modern football requires more than talent: speed, discipline, mentality, nutrition, recovery, and professionalism are all important. Which part of your development are you currently focusing on the most?
In modern football, every part is important. You need physical qualities, technique, tactical understanding, recovery, nutrition, and discipline. But for me, the mental side is the most important part at the moment.
Football is not only about talent. It is also about mentality, confidence, and how you react in difficult moments. Sometimes things don’t go the way you want, and in those moments you have to stay strong, continue working, and not lose belief. I am focusing a lot on building that mentality. I want to be strong under pressure, calm in decisive moments, and ready to learn from every situation.
How important has the support of your family, coaches, and agent in helping you choose the right path and make this move to Hungary at the right moment?
The support from my family, coaches, and my agent Darko Marić with D.M.management has been very important for me. My family has always been my biggest support. They believed in me from the beginning and helped me stay strong through every step of my journey.
My coaches helped me grow on the pitch. They gave me trust, taught me important lessons, and pushed me to become better every day. Darko Marić and D.M.management also played an important role in finding the right opportunity for me at the right moment. For a young player, it is very important to have people who understand your development and help you make smart career decisions.
I am grateful for all of them, because without that support I would not be where I am today.
When you look ahead, what would be a successful first season for you at St. Mihály, in terms of performances, adaptation, goals, and personal development?
For me, a successful first season at St. Mihály would be about adapting quickly to the team, the league, and the style of play.
Of course, as an attacking player, I want to contribute with goals and assists. I want to help the team in the final third and be dangerous in every match. But I also know that my overall performance is important, pressing, movement, discipline, and helping the team defensively when needed.
This season is also very important for my personal development. I want to improve physically, tactically, and mentally. I want to become more mature as a player and understand the game at a higher level.
Outside of football, what kind of person is Emili Mitkovska? What do you enjoy doing when you are not training, travelling, or preparing for matches?
Outside of football, I am a calm and simple person. I like to spend my time in a positive way and work on improving myself, both mentally and personally.
I enjoy drawing and reading books. Those things help me relax, stay focused, and keep balance in my life. I think it is important for every athlete to have something outside football that brings peace and helps the mind recover.
Football is my biggest passion, but I also believe that personal growth is important. The better you become as a person, the better you can become as an athlete.
