AS Monaco mark 50 years of their Academy as alumni trade memories | OneFootball

AS Monaco marked the Academy’s 50th anniversary on Sunday 19 April, their 2-2 draw with AJ Auxerre framing a day of reunions at Louis-II.

According to Nice-Matin, over 200 former and current Academy players and staff walked the Louis-II track at 14:30 before kick-off, stopping by an Ultras Monaco banner honouring five decades. Bruno Bellone, Jean-Luc Ettori and Abdel Bagayoko then took the ceremonial kick-off.

The league meeting carried weight in Monaco’s push for Europe, yet the spotlight sat on a half-century that has shaped generations.

After full-time many reconvened at Chez Tonton, the restaurant of ex-goalkeeper Jean-Luc Ettori, Monaco’s record appearance maker and the Academy’s first intake. He remembered the centre’s early steps, Jean-Louis Campora’s ambition before Bosman when clubs had to develop, and the 1978 title arriving two years after its birth.

He also evoked sessions on a hard pitch in Cap-d’Ail and the warmth of local traders when times were tougher.

Bellone said mischief was limited with youngsters lodging with host families, and admitted school was not for him, sometimes dozing behind a book after draining training.

Yanis Youcef paid tribute to the late school director, Madame Philippes, who kept him attending morning classes and helped him secure his baccalauréat.

Valère Germain called the Academy a second family, recalling the 2008 reserve title under Frédéric Barilaro and friendships that still feel like yesterday.

Philippe Christanval said his dressing room brimmed with humour, led by Thierry Henry’s antics without blunting his competitiveness, and he also cited Robert Camara.

Source: Nice-Matin