© Frédéric Nebinger & Michael Alesi. Palais Princier, Direction de la Communication.
What began in 1980 as a casual gathering of friends close to H.S.H. Prince Albert II has since evolved into a significant fixture in Monaco's sporting scene. The "Barbagiuans of Monaco," originally known as Munegu Autu, started as a local team organizing friendly matches. Over time, however, their ambitions grew, drawing the interest and involvement of key figures from Monegasque football.
Henri Biancheri, a prominent name in the sport, joined the team in the late 1980s, followed by other legendary players such as Delio Onnis and Jean Petit. Their participation helped elevate the team's profile, leading to numerous invitations to play, particularly in international matches.
The year 2000 marked a pivotal moment for the Barbagiuans. They began leveraging major events in the Principality to organize matches, with the annual game against the circus team during the Monte-Carlo Circus Festival becoming a standout event. This tradition of high-profile matches continued to grow, with more modern football stars, including former AS Monaco coach Didier Deschamps, joining the team by 2010.
In 2020, the Barbagiuans embraced a new mission, creating the Fight Aids Cup. This match pits Louis Ducruet’s team against that of his mother, H.S.H. Princess Stéphanie, with the goal of raising funds for the Fight Aids Monaco association, founded by Princess Stéphanie herself.
Today, the Barbagiuans are more than just a football team. Comprising mostly former Monegasque football stars, they embody the Principality’s charitable spirit, using their love of the game to support noble causes and uphold Monaco's tradition of philanthropy.