The Barbagiuans of Monaco Organize the Racing Stars Football Cup! On Wednesday, May 21st, starting at 3:00 pm, the Stade Louis II will host football and motorsport legends for a gala match, held on the sidelines of the 2025 Formula 1 Grand Prix. This tradition, dating back over thirty years, is being revived this year by Louis Ducruet, in support of the Jules Bianchi Association and Be Safe Monaco. A blend of history and modernity, this unique event—held under the High Patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II—promises to captivate an enthusiastic audience.
Pierre Gasly, Carlos Sainz, Isack Hadjar, Thierry Neuville… Just to name a few, some of motorsport’s top stars will take to the pitch at Stade Louis II for this historic pre-Grand Prix showdown, a tradition spanning more than three decades. Revamped this year as the “Racing Stars Football Cup”, the event is now in its first official edition under the leadership of the Barbagiuans of Monaco, the team founded by the Sovereign and chaired since 2020 by Louis Ducruet.
In addition to familiar faces such as Ludovic Giuly, Flavio Roma, Javier Chevanton, and the defensive duo Gaël Givet – Sébastien Squillaci, other world-renowned athletes will don the prestigious jersey for the first time. Among them are confirmed participants such as French MMA fighter Benoît Saint Denis “God of War” and judo legend Teddy Riner, triple Olympic gold medalist and 11-time world champion.
“This is also what the Barbagiuans are about!” says Louis Ducruet with a smile.
“I believe it’s important to break new ground and welcome other elite athletes into our squad. It’s a step in line with our growth strategy,” the president said.
Building on past successes, the time had come to ride the wave and expand the group’s activities. The aim is to infuse new energy into the Racing Stars Football Cup.
“The goal is to create a unique event that engages a different audience. Given the lineup and the legends supporting us, I believe we’ve succeeded.”
Because yes, this match is for everyone—beyond just sport. Singer Matt Pokora will take part, as well as comedians Paul Mirabel and Ragnar Le Breton, and model Baptiste Giabiconi. “May 21st will be a true celebration for all, featuring personalities who perfectly embody the values we hold dear,” assures Prince Albert II’s nephew.
This exceptional match is far from new. For more than thirty years, racing drivers and former footballers have gathered a few days before the Grand Prix to share a moment of camaraderie through football.
A passionate fan of both Formula 1 and football, Louis Ducruet has taken part in the match on multiple occasions.“I’ve always had a great time,” he recalls.
“Playing alongside my uncle was always something special. I was lucky to be regularly invited to this gala match.” Now ready for new challenges, he is “honoured to lead the Barbagiuans in the revival of this tradition.”
This sentiment is echoed by the family of Mauro Serra, the original mastermind behind the event, who led its organization for decades with passion and determination. Proud of his legacy, his children Shauna and James are now looking to the future, fully aligned with the launch of this new chapter.
“This event means a lot to us. We grew up with this tradition, so dear to our father and the Sovereign. We’re moved to see that the match is being carried on by people who share that same commitment, like the Barbagiuans and Louis Ducruet. We fully trust them to carry this historic event forward with passion, while remaining faithful to its core values of sportsmanship and solidarity.” MIKA HÄKKINEN, Ambassador of the ‘RACING STARS FOOTBALL CUP’
“I strongly encourage everyone to come and be part of the celebration this year”
Two-time Formula 1 World Champion (1998, 1999), Mika Häkkinen will serve as the distinguished ambassador for this inaugural Racing Stars Football Cup. In this meaningful role, he embodies the spirit of the event and reinforces the bond between football and motorsport. “I was honoured and thrilled when Louis Ducruet and his team asked me to be part of this initiative, especially since the event will support two important causes,” said the Finnish former driver.
“I’ve always enjoyed this tradition of gathering for a football match before the GP. I’ve played in it for many years, and even though it’s not a race, you can’t help but get competitive!” A true Formula 1 legend, Mika Häkkinen rose to the top during one of this sport most competitive eras.
After retiring from Formula 1 in 2002, he raced in the German DTM championship for three seasons before ending his professional driving career in 2007 at the age of 39. Yet the Finnish champion never strayed from his sporting values and remains a committed ambassador to this day. Regarding the Racing Stars Football Cup, he especially values that “sport brings together people from all walks of life—on the pitch and in the stands… in a friendly but competitive spirit, just like this event. It’s a real opportunity for fans to spend time close to their idols, and I’m glad this is all for a good cause.”
A Monaco Grand Prix winner in 1998 and a resident of the Principality, Monaco holds a special place in Häkkinen’s life.
“I have amazing memories here—especially the year I won,” he reflects. “Winning this race is a special achievement for any driver. That was a long time ago, but I’m still here, blessed to stand alongside the Princely Family to help make the very first Racing Stars Football Cup a success.”
In Support of ‘BE SAFE MONACO’ and the ‘Jules Bianchi Association’
True to their founding values, the Barbagiuans of Monaco continue their charitable efforts. Ten years after the tragic accident at the Japanese Grand Prix that claimed the life of Jules Bianchi, it felt essential to support the association created in his name by his father, Philippe Bianchi.
Deeply committed to preserving his son’s memory, he remains closely connected to motorsport and has excellent relationships with today’s drivers, including Charles Leclerc, the association’s godfather and a close friend of Jules. Despite the tragedy, Philippe Bianchi found the strength to carry on and to support those who cared for his son during the long weeks he spent in the hospital.
“Since Jules passed away on July 17, 2015, we decided—his mother, my children and I— to create an association in his honour,” he explains.
“Our work is mainly focused on supporting Archet Hospital in Nice, particularly the unit for brain-injured patients, where Jules was treated for eight months. We saw firsthand the severe lack of resources and equipment, and thanks to generous donors, we’ve been able to keep working to improve conditions for both patients and staff.”
Grateful for the organizers’ support, Philippe Bianchi, honorary president of the association, adds:
“This initiative touches me deeply, as it will bring together several F1 drivers just before the Monaco Grand Prix, which was so important for Jules. I thank the Barbagiuans, their president, and the entire team for their kindness and symbolic gesture, which will allow us to continue our work.”
Also benefiting from the funds raised is BE SAFE Monaco, founded by Camille Gottlieb and four of her close friends. Highly involved in road safety, the daughter of H.S.H. Princess Stéphanie works to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving. The message of the association is universal—it speaks to everyone. President of BE SAFE MONACO, Camille Gottlieb reflects on the significance of the Racing Stars Football Cup in her mission, which began in October 2017: “Having personalities from the world of motorsport involved clearly helps amplify our message,” she says.“Being part of such an event is a privilege and validates the relevance of our cause. Monaco is already aware of the issue, but we need to keep pushing. May 21st will be a popular match, not just in Monaco—it’s a chance to raise awareness internationally. I’m sincerely happy about this great opportunity.”
For Louis Ducruet, the connection was a natural one: “Supporting charitable values is in our DNA. My family is deeply involved. This has always been at the heart of the Barbagiuans’ mission. Both associations are perfectly aligned with the spirit of the Racing Stars Football Cup, each with a distinct yet meaningful connection to motorsport.”
