The Racing Stars Football Cup lit up Stade Louis-II once again ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, as celebrities and sporting legends took to the pitch for a charity match that combined football, fun, and fundraising…
The annual fixture saw a team of Formula 1 drivers face off against the Barbajuans of Monaco, a squad made up of local and international stars from across entertainment and sport. This year’s edition supported the Jules Bianchi Association and BeSafe, adding a heartfelt cause to the high-spirited encounter.
The match was attended by His Serene Highness Prince Albert II, who met players and even warmed up with local hero Charles Leclerc.
Among the many personalities taking part was comedian and football enthusiast Paul Mirabel, who shared his excitement about joining the match. “It’s always a pleasure to play football, especially in such a beautiful setting and for a good cause,” he said. Though he admitted his skills were “catastrophic,” he relished the opportunity to share the pitch with stars like Bonucci, Sébastien Frey, and Ludovic Giuly. Alongside Mirabel were other celebrities including MMA fighters Benoît Saint-Denis and Greg MMA, whose physical presence anchored the team’s defence.
F1 drivers also stepped up for the game, adding another dimension of speed and skill. Though Mirabel confessed he wasn’t an F1 expert, he was intrigued by the world of motorsport, especially since discovering the sport through Netflix’s Drive to Survive series.
In the end, the Barbajuans took the win, but it was camaraderie and charity that triumphed. With laughter on the sidelines and applause in the stands, the Racing Stars Football Cup once again proved to be a fan-favourite tradition, blending sport, stardom and solidarity just days before Monaco roars to life with Formula 1 action.
