The Barbagiuans of Monaco won the sixth edition of the Fight Aids Cup after an intense and emotional match, played under the High Patronage of H.S.H. Princess Stéphanie, President and Founder of Fight Aids Monaco. All funds raised during this charity event will be donated to the association, which is committed to the fight against HIV.
Organised by Louis Ducruet and the Barbagiuans of Monaco, the FIGHT AIDS CUP has become, over the years, a must-attend event in Monaco’s sporting and charitable calendar, held within the prestigious framework of the International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo. Once again, this gala and prestige football match brought together numerous legends of world football on the pitch of the Stade Louis-II, in front of a large and enthusiastic crowd.
For this sixth edition, Cirque FC was led by its captain Andriy Shevchenko, Ballon d’Or 2004 winner, and coached by Marco Simone, facing Louis Ducruet’s Barbagiuans, managed from the bench by Ludovic Giuly, who was injured for the occasion and therefore unable to take part in the match as a player.
THE MATCH:
The match got off to a fast pace, with an early opening goal from Javier Chevanton for the Barbagiuans. Cirque FC responded quickly and drew level thanks to an equaliser from Maxime Gonalons, making it 1–1. The game then remained extremely tight, with numerous chances at both ends, high intensity and full commitment until the final whistle, all in a remarkable atmosphere in the stands.
Despite opportunities for both sides, neither team managed to take the lead during regulation time. The match therefore ended in a 1–1 draw, requiring a penalty shoot-out to separate the two teams.
After a long and tense shoot-out, goalkeeper Flavio Roma made a decisive save, offering the match ball to Olivier Veigneau, who converted the winning penalty to secure victory for the Barbagiuans of Monaco.
This marks the Barbagiuans’ second victory in the FIGHT AIDS CUP, following four wins by Cirque FC. Louis Ducruet lifted the trophy with his team and will return to the competition in 2027 as the defending champions.
The evening continued with the traditional gala, during which the Jeannot Petit Trophy—awarded to the best player of the match and paying tribute to the late Jean Petit, a loyal member of the Barbagiuans of Monaco—was presented to Eden Hazard. For his first participation, the former Belgian football legend delivered a top-class performance, warmly applauded by the knowledgeable crowd at the Stade Louis-II and by the organisers.
Thanks to a strong turnout in the stands and a prestigious line-up, this sixth edition once again confirmed the growing enthusiasm surrounding the FIGHT AIDS CUP and the cause it supports. For six years, under the leadership of Louis Ducruet, the Barbagiuans of Monaco have been actively committed alongside FIGHT AIDS MONACO, making this event a powerful symbol of solidarity, sport and generosity.
“This FIGHT AIDS CUP represents far more than a football match. Seeing football legends come together and such strong commitment around the cause championed by Fight Aids Monaco is a tremendous source of pride. This victory is a collective one, in service of an essential cause,” said Louis Ducruet, President of the Barbagiuans of Monaco and organiser of the event, before adding: “It is an immense pleasure each year to play alongside players I admired when I was younger—and whom I still admire today. History will remember that this FIGHT AIDS CUP was the first to be honoured by the presence of a Ballon d’Or winner, Andriy Shevchenko, and that it also marks the Barbagiuans’ second victory! I will therefore be delighted to return next year as the defending champions. Until then, an exciting programme awaits us in 2026…”
