AS Monaco FC facts for kids
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| Full name | Association Sportive de Monaco Football Club | |
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| Nickname(s) | Les Rouge et Blanc (The Red and Whites) Les Monégasques (The Monégasques) Le Rocher (The Rock) |
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| Short name | AS Monaco, ASM | |
| Founded | 23 August 1924 | |
| Stadium | Stade Louis II | |
| Stadium capacity |
16,360 | |
| Owners | Monaco Sport Investment Ltd (66.67%) House of Grimaldi (33.33%) |
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| President | Dmitry Rybolovlev | |
| Head coach | Filipe Luís | |
| League | Ligue 1 | |
| 2021–22 | Ligue 1, 3rd of 20 | |
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AS Monaco is a professional football club from Fontvieille, Monaco. Even though Monaco is a separate country, the club plays in France's top league, Ligue 1. This is because Monaco is a very small country. The club was founded in 1918. They play their home games at the famous Stade Louis II. Their training center is in la Turbie, France.
AS Monaco is one of the most successful teams in French football. They have won eight league titles, five Coupe de France trophies, and one Coupe de la Ligue. The club has also competed in big European tournaments. They reached the finals of the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1992 and the UEFA Champions League in 2004. The team's colors are red and white, which is why they are called Les Rouge et Blanc (The Red and Whites). A businessman named Dmitry Rybolovlev became the main owner of the club in 2011.
Contents
Discover AS Monaco Football Club
Monaco's Unique Place in French Football
Monaco is a tiny country, a bit like a microstate. Unlike some other small European countries, Monaco has never created its own football league. It also never joined UEFA or FIFA as a separate nation. Because of this, AS Monaco joined the French league system. This means they can play in French competitions and represent France in European club tournaments.
There are a few other clubs in Europe that play in a different country's league. But AS Monaco is special because it represents a country that isn't a member of international football groups.
In 2013, the French Football Professional League (LFP) changed a rule. It said that clubs in French professional leagues should have their main office in France. However, in 2015, a French court decided that AS Monaco could keep its office in Monaco. This is important because players in Monaco have different financial rules. These rules can give AS Monaco an advantage when signing top players from around the world.
A Look at AS Monaco's Journey
Early Days and First Steps
AS Monaco FC started on August 1, 1920. It was formed by combining several local clubs from Monaco and France. On August 23, 1924, a larger sports club called Association Sportive de Monaco was created. The football team then became part of this bigger club.
In its early years, AS Monaco played in amateur leagues. They quickly moved up through the divisions in the 1920s. In 1929, the team moved to its first dedicated stadium, the Stade des Moneghetti. This stadium was in Beausoleil, France, right next to the Monaco border.
In 1933, the French Football Federation invited Monaco to become a professional club. Their first year in the second division was tough, and they went back to amateur status. By 1948, Monaco became professional again. They returned to the French second division. In 1953, they were promoted to the top French league, Ligue 1, for the very first time.
Winning Trophies: The Golden Years
In 1960, coach Lucien Leduc led Monaco to its first major trophy, the Coupe de France. They beat Saint-Étienne in an exciting extra-time match. The next year, the club won the French Championship for the first time. This success allowed them to play in the European Cup. Leduc then guided the team to win both the league and the cup in 1963.
After Leduc left in 1963, the team had a quieter period. They spent time moving between the first and second divisions. In 1975, Jean-Louis Campora became the club's chairman. He brought Leduc back, and the team quickly won promotion and then the championship in 1978.
The early 1980s were also very successful for Monaco. They won the Coupe de France in 1980 and 1985. They also won the French Championship in 1982. One memorable game was in 1985–86, when Monaco won 9–0 against Bordeaux. This was one of their biggest wins ever.
However, the club struggled to find success in European competitions during this time. They often exited in the early rounds.
Famous Coaches and Star Players
In 1987, Arsène Wenger became the manager. Under his leadership, AS Monaco had one of its most successful periods. He brought in talented players like George Weah, Glenn Hoddle, and Jürgen Klinsmann. The club's youth academy also developed future World Cup stars such as Emmanuel Petit, Lilian Thuram, and Thierry Henry.
Wenger's team won the league title in 1988 and the Coupe de France in 1991. They often reached the later stages of European competitions. After Wenger left, the club won two more league championships. These were under Jean Tigana in 1997 and Claude Puel in 2000.
Challenges and a New Beginning
Towards the end of the 1990s, the club faced some financial challenges. In 2003, these problems became serious. Even though they finished second in the league, the French Professional League temporarily moved them to Ligue 2. This was due to financial issues. The club's long-time president, Jean-Louis Campora, stepped down.
Despite these difficulties, the team had amazing success on the field the next season. Coached by Didier Deschamps, with players like Fernando Morientes and Ludovic Giuly, they finished third in Ligue 1. They also made a fantastic run to the final of the 2003–04 UEFA Champions League. They beat strong teams like Real Madrid and Chelsea along the way. However, the club still faced financial struggles that year.
Back to the Top: Recent Successes
After a few years of changing coaches and mid-table finishes, the club was relegated to Ligue 2 in 2011. In December 2011, a Russian businessman named Dmitry Rybolovlev bought most of the club. This new ownership brought new investment.
With new funds, Monaco quickly returned to Ligue 1. They won the Ligue 2 championship in the 2012–13 season under coach Claudio Ranieri. In 2013, Monaco spent a lot of money on new players. They signed stars like Radamel Falcao and James Rodríguez. They finished second in Ligue 1 in the 2013–14 season.
The club continued to develop and sell talented players. They reached the quarter-finals of the 2014–15 UEFA Champions League in 2015. Young players like Anthony Martial and Kylian Mbappé became big stars.
Ligue 1 Triumph and Aftermath (2016–present)
AS Monaco won the 2016–17 Ligue 1 title on May 17, 2017. They defeated Saint-Étienne 2–0. This was their first Ligue 1 title in 17 years. Radamel Falcao and Kylian Mbappé were key players, scoring many goals. The team had an amazing run, going undefeated for the last 20 games of the season.
In the 2016–17 UEFA Champions League, Monaco also had a great run. They beat Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund before losing to Juventus in the semi-finals.
After this successful season, many star players left the club for high transfer fees. Kylian Mbappé moved to rivals PSG. Other players like Bernardo Silva and Benjamin Mendy joined Manchester City. Despite these departures, Monaco finished second in Ligue 1 in the 2017–18 season.
In recent years, the club has continued to compete at the top level. They have had several coaching changes, including Thierry Henry and Niko Kovač. In 2023, Adi Hütter became the coach. He led the team to a second-place finish in the 2023–24 Ligue 1 season. This earned them a spot in the Champions League group stage for the first time since 2018–19. On October 11, 2025, Sébastien Pocognoli replaced Adi Hütter. Currently, Filipe Luís is the head coach.
Home Ground: Stade Louis II
Monaco has played at the Stade Louis II since 1939. The current stadium was built in 1985. It stands on land that was reclaimed from the Mediterranean Sea. The stadium is named after Prince Louis II. It can hold 16,360 fans.
The Stade Louis II is famous for its nine iconic arches. It has hosted many sports events and European Cup finals. From 1998 to 2012, it hosted the annual UEFA Super Cup.
Developing Future Stars: Youth Academy
AS Monaco has a strong youth academy. It helps young players develop their skills. Many talented footballers have come through this academy.
Meet the Team: Players
Current Squad
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Players on Loan
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Future Talent: Monaco B and Youth Sector
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Who Runs the Club: Officials
Club Leadership
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Coaching and Support Staff
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Club Leaders Through the Years
| Name | Period |
|---|---|
| 1948–1951 |  Étienne Boéri |
| 1952–1953 | Roger-Félix Médecin |
| 1954 | Joseph Fissore |
| 1955 | Charles Campora |
| 1956–1957 | Roger-Félix Médecin |
| 1958–1959 | Charles Campora |
| 1960–1963 | Antoine Romagnan |
| 1964–1968 | Max Principale |
| 1969 | Edmond Aubert |
| 1970–1972 | Henry Rey |
| 1973–1974 | Henri Orengo |
| 1975 | Henri Corvetto |
| 1976–2003 | Jean-Louis Campora |
| 2003–2004 | Pierre Svara |
| 2004–2008 | Michel Pastor |
| 2008–2009 |  Jérôme de Bontin |
| 2009–2011 | Étienne Franzi |
| 2011– |  Dmitry Rybolovlev |
Coaches Who Shaped the Team
| Period | Name |
|---|---|
| 1948–1950 |  Jean Batmale |
| 1950–1952 |  Elek Schwartz |
| 1952–1953 |  Angelo Grizzetti |
| 1953–1956 |  Ludvík Dupal |
| 1956–1957 |  Anton Marek |
| 1958 | Louis Pirroni |
| 1958–1963 | Lucien Leduc |
| 1963–1965 | Roger Courtois |
| 1965–1966 | Louis Pirroni |
| 1966–1969 | Pierre Sinibaldi |
| 1969–1970 | Louis Pirroni / Robert Domergue |
| 1970–1972 | Jean Luciano |
| 1972–1974 |  Ruben Bravo |
| 1974–1975 | Alberto Muro |
| 1976–1977 | Armand Forchério |
| 1977–1979 | Lucien Leduc |
| 1979–1983 | Gérard Banide |
| 1983–1986 | Lucien Muller |
| 1986–1987 |  Ștefan Kovács |
| 1987–1994 | Arsène Wenger |
| 1994 | Jean Petit |
| 1994–1995 | Jean-Luc Ettori |
| 1995 | Gérard Banide |
| 1995–1999 | Jean Tigana |
| 1999–2001 | Claude Puel |
| 2001–2005 | Didier Deschamps |
| 2005 | Jean Petit |
| 2005–2006 |  Francesco Guidolin |
| 2006 |  László Bölöni |
| 2006–2007 | Laurent Banide |
| 2007–2009 |  Ricardo Gomes |
| 2009–2011 | Guy Lacombe |
| 2011 | Laurent Banide |
| 2011–2012 | Marco Simone |
| 2012–2014 | Claudio Ranieri |
| 2014–2018 |  Leonardo Jardim |
| 2018–2019 | Thierry Henry |
| 2019 | Leonardo Jardim |
| 2019–2020 |  Robert Moreno |
| 2020–2022 |  Niko Kovač |
| 2022 | Stéphane Nado (caretaker) |
| 2022–2023 |  Philippe Clement |
| 2023–2025 | Adi Hütter |
| 2025–2026 | Sébastien Pocognoli |
| 2026– | Filipe Luís |
Monaco's Trophy Cabinet
Domestic Competitions
- Ligue 1
- Winners (8): 1960–61, 1962–63, 1977–78, 1981–82, 1987–88, 1996–97, 1999–2000, 2016–17
- Runners-up (8): 1963–64, 1983–84, 1990–91, 1991–92, 2002–03, 2013–14, 2017–18, 2023–24
- Ligue 2
- Winners: 2012–13
- Runners-up (3): 1952–53, 1970–71, 1976–77
- Championnat de France Amateur
- Winners (3): 1963–64, 1970–71, 2007–08
- Coupe de France
- Winners (5): 1959–60, 1962–63, 1979–80, 1984–85, 1990–91
- Runners-up (5): 1973–74, 1983–84, 1988–89, 2009–10, 2020–21
- Coupe de la Ligue
- Winners: 2002–03
- Runners-up (3): 2000–01, 2016–17, 2017–18
- Trophée des Champions
- Winners (4): 1961, 1985, 1997, 2000
- Runners-up (4): 1960, 2017, 2018, 2024
- Coupe Charles Drago
- Winners: 1961
European Competitions
- European Cup Winners' Cup
- Runners-up (1): 1991–92
- UEFA Champions League
- Runners-up (1): 2003–04
Pre-Season Tournaments
- Joan Gamper Cup
- Winners (1): 2024
- Mohammed V Cup
- Winners (1): 1988
European Standing
| Rank | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 63 |  Galatasaray |
25.500 |
| 64 |  LASK |
25.000 |
| 65 |  Monaco |
24.000 |
| 66 |  Midtjylland |
23.500 |
| 67 |  Union Berlin |
23.000 |
Club Legends: Player Records
Bold indicates players who play still at the club.
Most Games Played
- Competitive, professional matches only.
| # | Name | Years | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Jean-Luc Ettori |
1975–1994 | 755 |
| 2 | Claude Puel |
1979–1996 | 602 |
| 3 | Jean Petit |
1969–1982 | 428 |
| 4 | Manuel Amoros |
1980–1989 | 349 |
| 5 | Christian Dalger |
1971–1980 | 334 |
| 6 | Marcel Dib |
1985–1993 | 326 |
| 7 | François Ludo |
1953–1962 | 319 |
| 8 | Luc Sonor |
1986–1995 | 315 |
| 9 | Michel Hidalgo |
1957–1966 | 304 |
| 10 | Armand Forchério |
1961–1972 | 303 |
Top Goal Scorers
- Competitive, professional matches only.
| # | Name | Years | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |   Delio Onnis |
1973–1980 | 223 |
| 2 | Wissam Ben Yedder |
2019–2024 | 118 |
| 3 | Lucien Cossou |
1959–1965 | 115 |
| 4 | Christian Dalger |
1971–1980 | 89 |
| 5 |  Radamel Falcao |
2013–2019 | 83 |
| 6 | Jean Petit |
1969–1982 | 78 |
| 7 |  Victor Ikpeba |
1993–1999 | 77 |
| 8 | Yvon Douis |
1961–1967 | 74 |
| 9 | Youri Djorkaeff |
1990–1995 | 68 |
| 10 |  Sonny Anderson |
1994–1997 | 67 |
 Shabani Nonda |
2000–2005 |
See also
In Spanish: Association Sportive Monaco Football Club para niños
