Happy Birthday, AS Monaco!
With AS Monaco all set to celebrate its 102nd birthday, we look back at the history of the famed Principality club.
The Academy at its heart
Formed back in 1924, it wasn't until the 1950s that the Principality club began to grow in stature, entering the first division, before then winning the Coupe de France for the first time in 1960. That would be the first of many titles for Monaco, with the creation of their now distinctive Diagonale, proving a good omen in the 1960s.
In 1963, following a first European campaign, Monaco won a domestic double in 1963 (Cup and League). But beyond the titles, Monaco were beginning to grow a reputation as a club that produced talent. By the mid-1970s, Les Monégasques had an academy, and it quickly began churning out elite talent.
The likes of Jean-Luc Ettori, Delio Onnis, and co. would be some of the first graduates. The quality of the players developed, the chances afforded to them, and the consistency of production would see Monaco become the benchmark in player development. It is a tradition that continues to this day. Thierry Henry and David Trezeguet count among their most prestigious graduates. More recently, Kylian Mbappé broke through on Le Rocher, going on to become World Champion with the France national team.
Hoddle, Hateley, Weah: a sprinkling of stardust
Youth continues to be prioritised to this day. Maghnes Akliouche, who has just joined PSG, has become the second-most expensive academy graduate sale; Aladji Bamba also completed a big-money move away from the Stade Louis II this summer; the likes of Pape Cabral, Illan Touré, etc. will look to become the next to follow such a trajectory.
The 1990s would be a golden era for Monaco. Under Arsene Wenger, who would forge his reputation on the Côte d'Azur before going on to set the Premier League alight with Arsenal, Monaco excelled. Wenger led Monaco to the Ligue 1 McDonald's title in his first season, but this era was also marked by the sprinkling of stardust in the team. The likes of Glenn Hoddle, Mark Hateley, and Ballon d'Or winner George Weah would all become fan favourites in the '80s and '90s.
The 2000s saw Monaco shine on the European stage, culminating in an appearance in the Champions League final in 2004. Didier Deschamps' side, after an inspired campaign, would ultimately lose in the final against Porto.
2017 Monaco was something else 🔥 pic.twitter.com/r52uZAB0f8
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) July 31, 2023
After the feast came the famine, and Les Monégasques fell on harder times, with the club being relegated to Ligue 2 BKT in 2011. The revival would, however, be spectacular. In 2017, Les Monégasques would once again lift the Ligue 1 McDonald's title. Beyond Mbappé, it was a star-studded team, with the likes of Radamel Falcao, Fabinho, and Bernardo Silva all starting in Leonardo Jardim's side.
There was once again prominence on the European scene, and, heading into their 102nd year of existence, standards remain high and the thirst for titles remain. To date, ASM have eight Ligue 1 McDonald's titles, five Coupe de France titles, one Coupe de la Ligue, and four Trophée des Champions.
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