The Principality is preparing to come alive to the rhythm of one of the key sporting and charitable events on its calendar. The FIGHT AIDS CUP returns for its sixth edition on Saturday, January 24th at 3:30 p.m., once again at Stade Louis II, as part of the Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival.
Several football legends will take part in this prestigious match, true to local tradition. The Barbagiuans will once again face the Cirque FC in a spirit that is at once sporting, festive and charitable, the very essence of the event since its creation.
Andriy Shevchenko, Eden Hazard, Clarence Seedorf, Christian Karembeu, Bafétimbi Gomis and Youri Djorkaeff…
Alongside Louis Ducruet, President of the Barbagiuans of Monaco and organizer of the event, numerous international football legends will step onto the pitch at Stade Louis II, split between the two teams. This sixth edition confirms the FIGHT AIDS CUP’s status as a major fixture in the Principality, benefiting FIGHT AIDS MONACO, the association founded and chaired by H.S.H. Princess Stéphanie, who has been committed to the fight against HIV for over twenty years.
As every year, spectators at Stade Louis II will enjoy an exceptional line-up, featuring both familiar faces and new arrivals. Historically composed exclusively of former players who represented Monaco, the Barbagiuans reached a new milestone in 2025. The team now welcomes major international names, allowing them to join the adventure and wear this unique jersey so dear to the Princely Family.
“This was one of our key development objectives. We can be proud to see, event after event, how the squad continues to grow and how the values embodied by the Barbagiuans resonate with players beyond Monaco,” says Louis Ducruet, who will soon celebrate his sixth year as president.
“It is also about raising public awareness on a broader scale and expanding our scope of action, thanks in particular to the diversity of legendary players who represent us today. This concept is meant to endure, and the upcoming FIGHT AIDS CUP will help strengthen our approach to integrating new members into the great Barbagiuans family,” he adds.
Fans will notably have the opportunity to see Eden Hazard, the recently retired Belgian international, make his very first appearance in this gala match, as well as Bafétimbi Gomis. The event will also count on its loyal regulars, such as Robert Pirès and Ludovic Giuly. On the pitch, they will all be teammates of Louis Ducruet, captain of the Barbagiuans of Monaco.
Cirque FC with an Italian flair… Andriy Shevchenko as captain
For this sixth edition, Cirque FC will feature a strong Italian influence, with numerous former players who have marked the history of the major championships. This aims to strengthen the ties between the Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival and the Italian public, which is particularly attached to the event and, more broadly, to the Principality’s initiatives in support of essential values.