Established during the 1975–76 season, the Academy celebrated its 50th anniversary on Sunday, April 19.
The Club acknowledges five decades of training marked by excellence, core values, and the passing down of knowledge. Fifty years during which numerous professional players were shaped on the Rock by exceptional and passionate coaches. Fifty years that have established the Academy as one of the pillars of AS Monaco’s DNA.
To pay tribute to its youth development program, the Principality club dedicated yesterday to celebrating this deeply symbolic milestone.
A Lap of Honor Featuring Over 200 Figures from the Monaco Youth System
The festivities kicked off with a lap of honor that saw over 200 players—both alumni of the center and current players from La Diagonale — circle the track at the Stade Louis-II. They were joined by former executives, coaches, teachers, and staff members who have contributed—and continue to contribute today—to the destiny of the Academy.
It was an opportunity for everyone to see faces they hadn't seen in years, giving rise to heartwarming reunions during a moment steeped in togetherness, emotion, and pride.
Among those present were Jean-Luc Ettori, Bruno Bellone, Dominique Bijotat, Claude Puel, Manu Dos Santos, Gaël Givet, Sébastien Squillaci, Souleymane Camara, Jaroslav Plasil, Nicolas Nkoulou, Valère Germain, and Frédéric Barilaro, the current U19 coach.
The procession concluded with a wonderful "family photo" in front of the Tribune Pesages stand, where the Ultras Monaco 1994 displayed a tribute banner: "50 Years of Monégasque Youth Development: One Club, One Identity, Our Pride."
A Symbolic Kick-off and a Special Jersey
The match was then symbolically kicked off by Jean-Luc Ettori and Bruno Bellone, accompanied by Abdel Bakayoko—the Academy’s youngest current player—with all three joined by Maghnes Akliouche.
Thus, the Monaco youth system of yesterday, today, and tomorrow was represented during a memorable moment.
L’hommage s’est prolongé sur le terrain où les joueurs monégasques arboraient le logo officiel des 50 ans de l’Academy sur la face avant de leur maillot.
Un joli clin d’œil qui permet de rappeler que près de 150 joueurs ont été formés puis lancés en professionnel à l’AS Monaco, parmi lesquels une cinquantaine internationaux et 5 champions du monde (Emmanuel Petit, Lilian Thuram, Thierry Henry, David Trezeguet et Kylian Mbappé).
Cocktail, Temporary Exhibition, and "Doors of Legends" at La Diagonale
Following the day’s match—and a stop for some at Chez Tonton, the establishment owned by Jean-Luc Ettori—all the guests headed to La Diagonale to extend the festivities and share a convivial moment over cocktails.
Notably, they had the opportunity to visit the temporary exhibition dedicated to the Academy—created in collaboration with collector Julien Bouron (@asmonacollection)—which features AS Monaco jerseys worn by Academy-trained players, historical photographs, the Gambardella trophy, and other unique memorabilia. It is a true journey through time that 2025–26 season ticket holders will have the chance to discover from this Thursday.
While the doors to the rooms at La Diagonale now bear the likenesses of former players trained in the Principality, those present yesterday were able to meet the young residents currently occupying these very rooms. It was an opportunity to chat with them and to join them in signing the doors dedicated to them.
S.A.S. Prince Albert II and President Rybolovlev present at La Diagonale
The highlight of these celebrations was the arrival of H.S.H. Prince Albert II and President Dmitry Rybolovlev.
The two men toured the temporary exhibition alongside the Club’s management—as well as Jean-Luc Ettori, Bruno Bellone, and Claude Puel—before posing for photographs in front of La Diagonale, flanked by some of the Club’s most illustrious former players and coaches.
Following a stirring speech by Academy Director Sébastien Muet, H.S.H. Prince Albert II—joined by President Dmitry Rybolovlev—symbolically cut an impressive anniversary cake, specially crafted in the Club’s colors. It was a fitting conclusion to the Academy’s 50th anniversary, a celebration truly worthy of the excellence of Monegasque youth development.
