The pride was evident on Prince Rainier's face when he saw Monaco's football team knock soccer giants Real Madrid out of the Champions League competition on Tuesday. The 80-year-old royal was joined by his son Albert, who once played for the principality's squad himself, at the Louis II stadium.
Prince Rainier looked to be recovering well after his recent stay in hospital. The elderly monarch, who has been plagued by health problems in recent years, was treated for a coronary lesion at the end of February. He clapped enthusiastically as the tiny principality's players fought off the challenge of soccer's most fearsome team.
Real's biggest star David Beckham wasn't allowed to play in the game, because he received a yellow card when the two sides met a fortnight ago in Madrid. But his boss Carlos Queiroz accepted the defeat like a true sportsman. "I want to congratulate Monaco," he said afterwards. "We were not expecting a rout like this."
Their win means the Monegasque squad will now face top British team Chelsea in the semi-finals.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
