MONACO ACADEMY MARKS 50 YEARS OF FOOTBALL EXCELLENCE

AS Monaco’s academy celebrates its 50th anniversary, marking half a century of developing elite talent and shaping generations of players…

Festivities took place at the Stade Louis II ahead of the club’s match, with former academy stars honoured in front of supporters. Club legends from different eras gathered for a lap of honour, highlighting the academy’s enduring legacy. Over the decades, it has produced some of football’s most recognisable names, including Thierry Henry, Kylian Mbappé and Emmanuel Petit, reinforcing its reputation as one of France’s leading training centres.

The event also brought together past and present, with current academy players presenting jerseys to former graduates in a symbolic passing of the torch. For many, it was a rare opportunity to reconnect and reflect on the shared experience of Monaco’s development system.

To mark the occasion, parts of the stadium were transformed into a temporary exhibition space, showcasing key moments in the academy’s history and its contribution to the club’s success. The celebration concluded with a visit attended by HSH Prince Albert II, underlining the importance of the academy within Monaco’s sporting identity.

Fifty years on, the academy continues to look ahead, committed to nurturing future talent while preserving a tradition of excellence both on and off the pitch.

Image: Philippe Fitte

- Ross Povey

SHABANI "PAPII" NONDA | ONE OF THE BEST AFRICAN SOCCER PLAYER

Shabani Nonda.
(FC Zürich 1996 - 1998)

Shabani Christophe Nonda (born 6 March 1977) is a former professional footballer who played as a striker. Born in Burundi, he played for the DR Congo national team, earning 36 caps and scoring 20 goals. He was selected for DR Congo's squad for the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations. He had a prominent Career with the East African giants Young Africans (Yanga), before joining Vaal professionals in South Africa.

Born in Bujumbura, Burundi, Nonda began his career at Atlético Olympic[1] in 1992. After training in Uganda with Mbarara F.C. then playing in Tanzania with Young Africans and in South Africa with Vaal Professionals, he was discovered by FIFA agent Marcelo Houseman who then placed Nonda in Switzerland with FC Zürich in 1996 for a transfer fee of US$150,000.[citation needed]

After finishing top goalscorer in Switzerland two years running he was transferred to French side Stade Rennais in 1998 for a record fee of US$9 million dollars,[citation needed] and later moved to AS Monaco in 2000 again for €20 million, to replace David Trezeguet.[2] His performances, including those in the 2004 UEFA Champions League final, earned him a move to Serie A club AS Roma on a three-year deal in 2005, for which he earned €1.8 million in gross per season. (however the tax rate including regional tax may have added up to around 50%)[3][4] However, he never lived up to his potential – partly due to a knee injury sustained while at Monaco – and spent the 2006–07 season on loan at English side Blackburn Rovers.[5] While at Blackburn, Nonda announced his intention to sign a permanent deal,[6] Blackburn opted not to sign Nonda on a permanent deal and[7] he later signed for Turkish club Galatasaray in August 2007 on a two-year deal.[8] On 28 January 2010, Galatasaray released him by mutual consent.

Though he was born in Burundi, Nonda holds citizenship from Democratic Republic of the Congo and to date 36 international caps for the country, with 20 goals since 2000.[2] He retired from international football in 2005, and returned in 2007.[9] He scored a hat-trick against Djibouti in World Cup Qualifications in 2008.

Throughout his footballing career, Nonda has hosted a DJ show for a Burundian radio station.

Nonda is a member of the "Champions for Peace" club, a group of famous elite athletes committed to serving peace in the world through sport, created by Peace and Sport, a Monaco-based international organization.

- Wikipedia 

MARCUS RASHFORD'S MAN UNITED'S ESCAPE ROUTE BLOW ENERGES AMID TRANSFER RULE CONCERN

Latest Manchester United transfer news as Marcus Rashford could be forced to wait until the summer to join AC Milan

Manchester United winger Marcus Rashford (Image: MB Media/Getty Images)
 

Marcus Rashford's hope of securing a move away from Manchester United to AC Milan could be scuppered by the Italian giants' move for Kyle Walker.

The United star is expected to leave Old Trafford this month after falling out of favour under Ruben Amorim. Milan adviser Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who played with Rashford, has spoken publicly about wanting to open discussions about a move to the San Siro.

Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona, AS Monaco and Tottenham are all also said to be keen on the 27-year-old. Rashford has admitted being open to a "new challenge" and a potential loan move could be on the cards.

However, a move to the San Siro could be in doubt. Milan are also in talks with a move for Walker, who told Pep Guardiola of his intention to leave City. Currently, Milan are leading the race for the two English stars.

But due to rules in Italy, only one will be allowed to join Sergio Conceicao's side this window. Serie A rules state that a club may only sign two non-EU players every season, and Milan have already done that with the summer arrivals of Strahinja Pavlovic and Emerson Royal.

Despite this, they can bring a third player from outside the European Union as long as they are signed from the United Kingdom or Albania. That means only Rashford or Walker will be able to join them this window.

Fortunately for Rashford, Sky Italia have claimed the United star is Milan's preference, and they are expected to make an approach very soon.

- Josh Holland

 

MONACO 🇲🇨 SIGN GHANA 🇬🇭 DIFENDER SALISU FROM SOUTHAMPTON

AS Monaco have signed Ghana defender Mohammed Salisu from English second-tier side Southampton on a five-year contract, both clubs said on Tuesday.

Local media reported that the Ligue 1 side paid Saints about 15 million euros ($16.53 million) for the 24-year-old.

PRESS CONFERENCE LOSC LILLE-AS MONACO

LOSC LILLE VS. AS MONACO | 4-3

CHELSEA DEFENDER MALANG SARR COMPLETES MOVE TO FRENCH LIGUE 1 SIDE AS MONACO

 

Chelsea defender Malang Sarr is happy to play for French giants AS Monaco for the rest of 2022-23 season.

AS MONACO - FC LORIENT | 2 - 2 | HIGHLIGHTS | ASM - FCL | 2020-2021