The iconic Stade Louis II transformed into a playground of dreams this Tuesday as AS Monaco hosted the 3rd edition of the Munegu Cup, bringing together nearly 400 schoolchildren from across the Principality for a day of football, community and joy.
The tournament, an initiative created by club President Dmitry Rybolovlev to strengthen ties between AS Monaco and loyal youth, saw children aged 8-9 from seven Monégasque schools competing across eight mini-fields specially arranged on the pitch.
The championship culminated in a thrilling final that saw Saint-Charles 4 defeat Révoires 5 by a score of 3-1, with the winners receiving the prestigious President’s Trophy directly from AS Monaco President Dmitry Rybolovlev, accompanied by club captain Denis Zakaria.
“It’s amazing for me because I also had this opportunity when I was young to see a professional player,” Zakaria told Monaco Life’s Kyriaki Topalidou. “It’s always a great feeling when you are young, and I’m happy to give that to these young children,”
The Swiss football player, who delivered the ceremonial kick-off for the final, encouraged the young participants to “keep dreaming, always believe in yourself and work hard to get what you want.”
A day of football and friendship
The excitement began at 9:30am with mascot Bouba delivering the symbolic kick-off, as Stade Louis II announcer Laurent Nieloux provided enthusiastic commentary throughout the day. The group phase matches filled the morning with excitement, followed by the knockout rounds after a short lunch break.
The stands buzzed with laughter and cheerful smiles as children from École des Révoires, École de Fontvieille, École de la Condamine, FANB, Saint-Charles, Cours Saint Maure, and International School of Monaco took part in the special day.
Beyond the competition itself, participants received totebags containing complete AS Monaco kits (jersey, shorts, socks) and a special AS Monaco vacation workbooks to take home as souvenirs.
AS Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro highlighted, the event’s purpose extends beyond athletic competition: “This is about bringing kids the opportunity to be here inside our iconic place, having the experience to play here, being connected to us. This is about community. We want to make Monaco more and more connected.”
Scuro also mentioned the pure joy that football brings to children at this age: “This age especially is where football is really enjoyable and fun. When they become older, it starts to get serious, with a lot of pressure, everything is only about results. It’s very nice just to see kids only have fun with football, how happy they were.”
Strengthening community bonds
The Munegu Cup represents one of several programmes initiated by Rybolovlev to connect with the Principality’s youth. Along with the ÜNSEME Cup (for teenagers from neighbouring municipalities), the Kids Tour, and ‘Tous au Stade’ operations, these projects have allowed thousands of young people to experience Stade Louis II and develop a connection with AS Monaco.
The event was attended by several key figures, including Yvette Lambin-Berti, Secretary of State, and Rémy Garoscio, Deputy Director of National Education, Youth and Sports.
With smiles, cheers, and dreams of future football stardom, the Munegu Cup continues to strengthen the bond between AS Monaco and the next generation of supporters in the Principality.
As Scuro reflected on the event’s success: “The president sees these events as a way to transmit our values as a club, as an organisation. That’s why it was also important to have him here today giving the trophy to the champion team. It shows how engaged he is with the club, not just on the professional team level, but also to make our organisation stronger.”
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Main photo credit: Kyriaki Topalidou, Monaco Life