Photo credits: Frédéric Nebinger Prince Palace of Monaco.
MONACO - On Wednesday, May 21, 2025, the Stade Louis II in Monaco thrummed with an electric energy that rivaled the roar of engines set to reverberate through the Principality just two days later for the Monaco Grand Prix. The occasion was the inaugural Racing Stars Football Cup, a charity match that fused the glamour of motorsport with the universal appeal of football, uniting stars from both worlds in a heartfelt display of camaraderie and purpose.
This extraordinary event pitted the Barbagiuans of Monaco, a team steeped in the Principality’s charitable tradition, against the Nazionale Piloti, a squad of Formula 1 drivers and motorsport luminaries. Orchestrated by Louis Ducruet, the Barbagiuans’ president and a tireless advocate for philanthropy, the match was a dazzling showcase of talent and goodwill. The roster read like a who’s-who of sports and entertainment: football legend Ludovic Giuly, pop star Matt Pokora, UFC fighter Benoît Saint-Denis, comedian Paul Mirabel, influencer Ragnar Le Breton, and Formula 1 stars Pierre Gasly and Carlos Sainz. Each took to the pitch not for personal glory but to champion two vital causes: the Jules Bianchi Association, honoring the memory of the late Formula 1 driver, and Be Safe Monaco, dedicated to combating the perils of drunk driving.
Photo credits: Frédéric Nebinger Prince Palace of Monaco.
The evening began with a ceremonial kick-off that carried the weight of Monaco’s storied legacy. H.S.H. Prince Albert II and H.S.H. Princess Stéphanie, joined by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and two-time Formula 1 World Champion Mika Häkkinen, ambassador of the event, set the stage with a symbolic gesture that underscored the match’s deeper purpose. Their presence was a reminder of the Principality’s commitment to using its global platform for good, blending tradition with a forward-looking vision of unity.
Photo credits: Frédéric Nebinger Prince Palace of Monaco.
What followed was a contest that balanced festive exuberance with fierce competition. Over two 45-minute halves, punctuated by a 10-minute intermission, the Barbagiuans and Nazionale Piloti traded goals in a thrilling display of athleticism. The Barbagiuans, led by the irrepressible Javier Ernesto Chevanton, surged to a 6–4 victory, with Chevanton’s hat-trick earning him the Best Player trophy, presented by Ducruet and Prince Albert in a post-match ceremony. A penalty scored by Gasly briefly reignited the Piloti’s hopes, but the Barbagiuans’ resolve proved unyielding.
More than 3,200 spectators filled the stands, their cheers echoing through the stadium as they witnessed a new chapter in a charitable tradition that has spanned over three decades. Under Ducruet’s stewardship, the Racing Stars Football Cup reimagined this long-standing event, infusing it with fresh energy and a star-studded allure. “I’m thrilled by the excitement this match has generated,” Ducruet said after the final whistle. “Seeing so many personalities come together and being able to revive, with the Barbagiuans, an event so dear to the Principality is a great source of pride. It’s been an overwhelming success, and I look forward to welcoming everyone again next year to continue the adventure and share more unforgettable moments with us.”
The match was more than a sporting spectacle; it was a testament to Monaco’s unique ability to blend opulence with altruism. As the Principality gears up for the Grand Prix, the Racing Stars Football Cup has carved out its own place in the calendar, a beacon of hope and unity that promises to shine even brighter in years to come.