Pierre Gasly Reflects on Football Aspirations During Monaco Charity Match
Monaco, Monaco — Alpine driver Pierre Gasly showcased his passion for football during the annual Nationale Piloti charity match, held ahead of the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix. Captaining a team filled with Formula 1 drivers including Carlos Sainz, Fernando Alonso, and local favorite Charles Leclerc, Gasly embraced the opportunity to step onto the pitch at Stade Louis II, the home ground of AS Monaco.
Gasly, who co-owns French club FC Versailles, wore the captain’s armband and expressed his enthusiasm for the event. "The enjoyment is probably a hundred out of 10. I love football," he commented. Reflecting on his childhood ambitions, he noted that his initial dream was to become a football player, a desire that faded only after his first go-kart experience. "That first lap out there… it was all about Formula 1 after that."
The charity match served a dual purpose, supporting the local Be Safe campaign against drink driving and the Jules Bianchi Association. Sainz contributed to the game’s action with an assist, while Leclerc, a former youth footballer, initiated the match alongside two-time F1 champion Mika Hakkinen.
While Gasly refrained from declaring a singular greatest footballer, he acknowledged Zinedine Zidane as his childhood icon. “Whether you can say he’s the best of all time, it’s very tricky… Zizou to me is my icon since I was a kid,” he stated.
In response to queries about teammate Isack Hadjar’s football skills, Gasly demonstrated his characteristic humor, suggesting that Hadjar would excel in a managerial role rather than as a player. "He’s a great player because he just goes all out… Not too sure for the body it’s the best, but at least for the team, it’s great," he remarked.
The charity event is a unique feature of the Monaco race weekend, blending competitive spirits on the track with camaraderie off it. As Gasly concluded, "It’s a great win for everybody. It’s unique to Monaco and always a great highlight of the weekend."
