Back where it all began, Marco Simone has chosen Foot Mercato to give an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Monaco United Football Club. In a unique interview, the iconic former AS Monaco striker tells us about the origins, ambitions, and profound vision that drive him in this project focused on women’s football, but which in reality conceals a multitude of cross-cutting objectives.
“ A new wind is blowing across the heights of the Principality. In Monaco , a land of sport and excellence, an ambitious project is being born: the Monaco United Football Club .” On Monday, June 9, 2025, in the elegant setting of the Méridien Beach Plaza in Monte-Carlo, a symbolic and founding moment marked the sporting news of the Principality: the press conference launching the Monaco United Football Club. Before an audience of journalists, partners and enthusiasts, Marco Simone , former Italian international and emblematic figure of AS Monaco, appeared visibly moved but determined, to present an innovative project that intends to redraw the contours of local football, by placing women’s football at the heart of its ambition. In an atmosphere both solemn and full of hope, the founder and president of the club took the floor to unveil the broad outlines of an ambitious, inclusive initiative deeply rooted in the future. An anticipated speech, which begins a new era for sport in the Principality. Almost two months later, the project is already developing very well.
Interviewed exclusively by Foot Mercato , Marco Simone reveals the behind-the-scenes of these first very active but founding weeks for the continuation of this great dream. “The project started from an approach in working with the Paris Saint-Germain women’s team. It’s hard to say why, but I started following the Paris Saint-Germain women’s team, the entire French championship and the Champions League. I became passionate, I fell in love. I was the virtual coach of Paris Saint-Germain for the entire season, to try to understand. It was really interesting. So I wanted to do something, in Monaco. A women’s team doesn’t really exist in Monaco. There is a women’s association, but it’s not AS Monaco. I created my project dedicated mainly to girls. I looked at Arkema and I said to myself that it was not possible that there was no team in Monaco. This year, there are Marseille and Lens who have just been promoted. It will be interesting with all the big teams that are already present. Monaco’s players must be able to represent the country at a high level .” This large-scale project intends to revolutionize Monegasque sport dominated by AS Monaco and AS Monaco Basket, but especially French women’s football.
Women's football at the heart of the project
A new chapter opens in the history of Monegasque sport with the birth of Monaco United Football Club, a structuring and visionary project entirely focused on the development of women’s football. Officially founded in August 2025 by the former Paris Saint-Germain and AS Monaco player, this club has stood out from the outset with a resolutely modern and bold approach. Unlike traditional models where men’s teams predominate, Monaco United has made women’s football its main driving force, with a strong desire to build a strong institution, rooted locally but with an international outlook: “In Monaco, it’s not easy. It’s an important principality, but it’s a very important physical territory. We’re a different club. We could have our own men’s team. The basis of the project remains the women’s team, so this year, we secured the registration of the women’s team. At the beginning of September, they will have their first Coupe de France match while waiting for the championship schedule. Women’s football has deeply passionate me and touched me deeply.” I found something that is no longer available in men’s football .” Through the Monaco United Women’s Team, the club intends to embody a new form of sporting excellence, fueled by values of respect, equality, professionalism and innovation. For Marco Simone, returning to the heights of Monaco where he signed his player contract 25 years ago is a powerful symbol.
From its first season, the ambition has been clear: to raise the women’s team to the highest level, first in France, then in Europe. The team, which will play in the fifth national division (D5) starting in September, is aiming for immediate promotion and also intends to shine in the Coupe de France. Alongside it, the Racing City Group, a major partner in the project, confirms Monaco United’s international reach. Morris Pagniello and Justin Davis, founders of the group, have a clear ambition: to make Monaco United one of the best women’s clubs in the world. And to achieve this, a global recruitment strategy has already been launched, with players from France, Italy, Spain, Latin America, and Africa. “I founded the association with two people who are in Monaco, because the law requires that there be two adults residing in Monaco. Morris and Justin are two different people who work in two different environments. Justin is a big real estate entrepreneur who runs a company with over 500 people that has expanded to Hong Kong and Dubai. He is a huge sports enthusiast who draws on Morris’s knowledge. Morris works in football, especially in academic development. He is someone who has around fifteen academies in America, around the world, with 26,000 members, including 9,000 girls. He has a capacity for academy development, and it was thanks to Morris that I got in touch with Justin Davis, and from there, the project was born ,” he explains. To carry this dynamic forward, Marco Simone does not limit himself to the presidency of the club: he personally takes charge of the women’s team as head coach. A role he takes on with passion and rigor, after having immersed himself for over a year in the world of women’s football.
A wide range of objectives
But the project doesn’t stop at the women’s team. Monaco United is deploying a comprehensive vision, through the establishment of a men’s structure currently under construction, an international academy, and elite pathways for young talent. The Monaco United Academy, open to girls and boys aged 14 to 23, represents a fundamental pillar of the club. Its objective is twofold: to train the champions of tomorrow while providing them with quality educational support. “We are currently structuring the reception of players who will be hosted on French, Italian, or Monegasque territory and then grant them academic authorization for 10 months.” Beyond the question of football, they will have the opportunity to continue their studies, to participate in training all week to be able to participate in the French championships, because they will be licensed with Monaco United. To carry out this ambition, a renowned ambassador has been appointed: Adil Rami , 2018 world champion, who will also play a few matches with the men’s team to contribute to its development. The club plans in the short term to welcome between 30 and 50 players per section, thanks to a vast detection network and an investment policy on several axes: infrastructure, academies, media, fan engagement and partnerships. All in a coherent and sustainable logic which aims to make Monaco United a reference in terms of a modern, educational and efficient club.
“Not this year, but the year after, we’ll consider registering the men’s team. But all development is based on the women’s team for now; it’s the priority, the flagship team, the driving force. We’ve held open days. We’ve already welcomed 35 girls. We’re not saying that Monaco United has a women’s team. We mean that Monaco United also has a men’s team. We’ve reversed the classic phenomenon. This season, we decided to start with only the women’s team, without any men’s team. But the door is open locally for the project. The men’s team isn’t an obligation, but it’s part of the project. We’re not here to disturb AS Monaco. We don’t need to inform AS Monaco. They’re part of my life and my family. It’s a club that must be the benchmark for us today. We’re not here to create a rivalry. It’s a big club.” And we are a new club.” Finally, the club’s location at the Didier Deschamps stadium in Cap d’Ail – a stone’s throw from the legendary Stade Louis II – clearly affirms its desire for local roots, while also establishing a strong, independent identity. The tone is set: Monaco United Football Club will not be a club like any other. It intends to showcase the Principality on the pitch, while lastingly changing the landscape of women’s football in France. By building a model of excellence that places people, training, and equality at the center, Marco Simone and his team are paving a new, ambitious and inspiring path. A breath of fresh air for Monaco, an exciting adventure to follow now.
