Monaco Players Stripped to Underwear After Plane Breakdown

Monaco’s preparations for their Champions League opener were thrown into disarray when players were forced to strip down to their underwear on a plane bound for Bruges, Belgium. The incident occurred on September 17, 2025, as technical issues with the aircraft’s air conditioning led to unbearable heat, effectively turning the cabin into a sauna.

The Ligue 1 team was scheduled to face Club Brugge in their first group stage match of the prestigious tournament. As temperatures soared, players were seen fanning themselves with in-flight magazines in an effort to cool down. Some took to their mobile phones to record the unusual situation, and footage of the players in their underwear quickly spread across social media.

Monaco’s head coach, Adi Hutter, expressed concern for the safety of his squad, stating that continuing the journey was not feasible. “For technical reasons, it was impossible to travel, as everyone’s safety was not guaranteed,” Hutter explained. The decision was made to postpone the trip, and players were eventually allowed to disembark the aircraft.

Hutter coordinated with Thiago Scuro, Monaco’s CEO, to rearrange travel plans. The team will now travel to Bruges on the day of the match, a strategy they have employed successfully in the past. “We are professional and immediately changed our schedule,” Hutter said, referencing a previous trip to Auxerre where they managed a 2-1 victory despite traveling the same day.

Despite the chaos, Hutter remains optimistic about the team’s performance against Club Brugge at the Jan Breydel Stadium. The coach noted that the setback would not significantly impact their preparations, citing their professional approach to handling unexpected situations.

Among the players making the trip is former Manchester United star Paul Pogba, who is yet to make his debut for Monaco due to fitness issues stemming from a recent doping ban. Other notable players include Eric Dier, Folarin Balogun, and Takumi Minamino, all of whom contribute to a strong squad aiming for success in Europe.

Monaco qualified for the 2025-26 Champions League following a third-place finish in Ligue 1 last season. As they face Club Brugge, the team is determined to overcome the travel disruption and secure a positive result in their opening match.