Ronaldinho encabezará Racing Stars Mónaco

Ronaldinho will headline Monaco’s Racing Stars Football Cup on June 3, giving Grand Prix week in the principality an early crossover event before Formula 1 cars take to the streets. The charity match is set for 3:30 p.m. at Stade Louis-II and will bring together football figures, racing drivers and entertainment personalities, according to Monaco Life and Barbagiuans Monaco. The game is organised by the Barbagiuans Monaco, the local side chaired by Louis Ducruet, and will pit that team against the Nazionale Piloti, a squad of drivers. Formula 1’s official timetable shows the Monaco Grand Prix weekend begins the next day, on June 4, with the race on June 7. ### Why is Ronaldinho attached to a Monaco Grand Prix-week football match? Ronaldinho was named by organisers as the marquee guest for the 2026 edition, marking his first appearance for the Barbagiuans Monaco. Monaco Life said the former Brazil international and 2005 Ballon d’Or winner is one of the headline names confirmed for the event. Ronaldinho said he “didn’t hesitate for a second” when invited and called it “an immense joy” to play and contribute. (monacolife.net) The June 3 match continues a Monaco custom of staging a celebrity and drivers’ football fixture ahead of the Grand Prix. Barbagiuans Monaco described the event as the second edition of the Racing Stars Football Cup after its 2025 return. ### Who else is expected to play at Stade Louis-II? (monacolife.net) Carlos Sainz Jr. and Pierre Gasly are among the Formula 1 drivers expected to take part, Monaco Life reported. The same report said Formula 2 drivers Luke Browning and Oliver Goethe are also expected, alongside former footballers Ludovic Giuly, Flavio Roma and Leonardo Bonucci. (monacolife.net) Jacky Ickx will serve as the event’s official ambassador for 2026, succeeding Mika Häkkinen in that role from the previous year, Monaco Life said. Entertainment figures listed by organisers include French comedian Paul Mirabel, presenter Nikos Aliagas and Tibo InShape. ### Which teams are playing, and who is running the event? (monacolife.net) Louis Ducruet leads the Barbagiuans Monaco, which is one of the two teams in the match. Barbagiuans Monaco said the opposition will be the Drivers’ Team — described by Monaco Life as the Nazionale Piloti — made up of figures from Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3 and wider motorsport. (monacolife.net) The Barbagiuans Monaco website said the event is designed as a charity fixture bringing together football legends, motorsport stars, artists and other public figures. Monaco Life quoted Ducruet saying the match would again be “a great moment of sport, sharing and emotion” in support of causes close to the organisers. (monacolife.net) ### Where does the money go this year? Mercy Ships and Les Soins de l’Espoir are the two charities selected for the 2026 edition, according to Barbagiuans Monaco. The organisation said Mercy Ships operates hospital ships providing free surgical care in Africa, while Les Soins de l’Espoir supports children and adults in Southeast Asia, particularly in Vietnam, through surgery, medical care and healthcare development. (monacolife.net) Monaco Life also reported Mercy Ships as one of the beneficiaries and said the event’s focus extends beyond football to solidarity and fundraising. ### How does it fit into Monaco’s race-week calendar? June 3 is the day before the official Monaco Grand Prix programme begins, according to Formula 1’s 2026 timetable. (barbagiuansmonaco.mc) Formula 1 lists support-series practice on Thursday, June 4, first and second F1 practice on Friday, June 5, qualifying on Saturday, June 6, and the Grand Prix at 3:00 p.m. local time on Sunday, June 7. (monacolife.net) Stade Louis-II will host the football match from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on June 3, according to Barbagiuans Monaco’s event page. That places Ronaldinho, Sainz, Gasly and the other invited participants on Monaco’s calendar before the Formula 1 paddock moves into the race weekend proper. (barbagiuansmonaco.mc) (formula1.com)