Princess Stéphanie's Cirque FC Secures Narrow Victory in Fight AIDS Cup Finale

In a thrilling encounter at Stade Louis-II, Cirque FC, under the patronage of Princess Stéphanie, triumphed over Prince Albert II's Barbagiuans with a nail-biting 5-4 win in the fifth annual Fight AIDS Cup. The event, which coincides with the Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival, not only celebrates sport but also supports the critical work of Fight Aids Monaco. This year's match paid homage to Didier Guillaume and the late Jean Petit, a revered figure in AS Monaco's history.

The match was marked by fierce competition and stellar performances, including from football veterans Franck Ribéry and Christian Karembeu for Cirque FC. The team got an early lead thanks to Anthony Modeste, who capitalized on a mistake from Patrice Evra. However, the Barbagiuans quickly equalized through Ludovic Giuly, setting the stage for a vigorously contested game. The first half ended in a deadlock, with both teams showing equal prowess and determination.

The victory was sealed for Cirque FC in the second half with additional goals from Robert Pirès and Bakary Sako, despite Giuly completing a hat trick for the Barbagiuans. Post-match, a victorious Modeste hinted at further strengthening their squad with Raphaël Varane slated to join next year. Despite the defeat, the Barbagiuans, including veteran Youri Djorkaeff, praised the high level of play. The triumph marks Cirque FC's fourth win in the tournament's five-year history, setting a challenging precedent for the Barbagiuans in the next edition.