Jean Makoun facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Jean Makoun

Makoun with Olympiacos in 2012
Personal information
Date of birth	(1983-05-29) 29 May 1983 (age 42)
Place of birth	Yaoundé, Cameroon
Height	1.73 m
Playing position	Midfielder
Youth career
1997–1999	Cotonsport Garoua
2000	Jeunesse Star
2001	Tonnerre Yaoundé
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2001–2008	Lille	165	(9)
2008–2011	Lyon	76	(8)
2011–2013	Aston Villa	9	(0)
2011–2012	→ Olympiacos (loan)	23	(2)
2012–2013	→ Stade Rennais (loan)	28	(2)
2013–2015	Stade Rennais	59	(3)
2015–2017	Antalyaspor	33	(4)
2018–2020	Merit Alsancak Yesilova SK	25	(6)
Total		418	(34)
National team
2003–2014	Cameroon	68	(10)
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Jean II Makoun (born on May 29, 1983) is a former professional footballer from Cameroon. He played as a midfielder for many clubs and for the Cameroon national team from 2003 to 2015. He is known as Jean II because his father, Jean Sr., was also a footballer.

Club Career

Playing for Lille

Makoun during his time with Lille.

Jean Makoun started his football journey in his home country, Cameroon. He played for youth teams like Cotonsport Garoua, Jeunesse Star, and Tonnerre Yaoundé. Later, he moved to France to join the Ligue 1 club Lille. He started as a center-back but soon moved to midfield. He signed his first professional contract with Lille, which lasted until 2006.

Makoun joined Lille's main team in the 2002–03 season. He played his first game for Lille in November 2002. By the end of that season, he had played 13 matches.

In the 2003–04 season, Makoun scored his first goal for Lille against Lyon, helping his team win 1–0. He quickly became a regular player in the midfield. He scored two more goals that season in cup competitions. He played 34 matches and scored three goals overall.

The 2004–05 season saw Makoun continue as a key midfielder. He helped Lille win the UEFA Intertoto Cup. He scored his first goal of the season in December 2004. He faced a knee injury in February 2005 but returned to play in March. That season, he played 47 matches and scored one goal. He felt it was a great season for him and the club.

For the 2005–06 season, Makoun started strong, scoring his first goal in August 2005. He scored two more goals in September and October. His play in the UEFA Champions League against Manchester United earned him praise. He was sent off in a match in February 2006 but returned to help Lille win against Sevilla in the UEFA Cup. In May 2006, he scored a goal that helped Lille qualify for the Champions League. He played 43 matches and scored four goals that season.

Before the 2006–07 season, Makoun decided to stay with Lille despite interest from other clubs. He helped Lille qualify for the UEFA Champions League group stage. In October 2006, he signed a new contract until 2011. He scored his first Champions League goal that month. In January 2007, he scored another goal against Paris Saint-Germain. He played 45 matches and scored two goals that season.

In the 2007–08 season, Makoun made his first appearance in August 2007. He scored his first goal of the season later that month. He played regularly before a short injury break. He returned and continued to be a key player. In April 2008, he scored his second goal of the season. He played 27 matches and scored two goals.

After his time at Lille, many big clubs were interested in Makoun. He had played over 150 league games for Lille and also played in the Champions League. Lille praised him for his courage and loyalty when he left.

Moving to Lyon

Makoun (third right) jogging, along with Michel Bastos and Jimmy Briand at Lyon, during the club's training sessions.

On June 16, 2008, Makoun joined Lyon, a top French club, on a four-year deal. He reunited with his former manager, Claude Puel. He chose to wear the number 17 shirt, which was special because it had been retired after the death of Cameroonian midfielder Marc-Vivien Foé. Makoun said he wore it in memory of Foé.

Makoun had a great start at Lyon, scoring in his first game, a 3–0 win against Toulouse. He scored again two weeks later. He quickly became a regular starter in midfield. In a Champions League match, he helped Lyon come back from behind to win 5–2. In November 2008, he scored his first Champions League goal for Lyon. He scored two goals in league matches in February 2009. He also scored against his old club, Lille, in the French Cup, and against Barcelona in the Champions League. In May 2009, he scored two goals against FC Nantes. By the end of the 2008–09 season, Makoun had played 46 matches and scored 10 goals.

In the 2009–10 season, Makoun continued to play regularly in midfield. He scored his first goal of the season in August 2009. He helped Lyon qualify for the Champions League group stage. Despite some criticism, he helped Lyon reach the Champions League knockout stage. In February 2010, he scored a memorable goal against Real Madrid in the Champions League, hitting a long shot over the goalkeeper. Lyon reached the semi-finals of the Champions League but lost to Bayern Munich. Makoun played 41 matches and scored two goals that season.

Makoun's third season at Lyon (2010–11) was more challenging. He scored his first goal of the season in August 2010. However, he struggled with injuries and keeping a regular spot in the team. He decided he might need a fresh start. He played 17 matches and scored one goal before leaving Lyon.

Time at Aston Villa

On January 12, 2011, Makoun traveled to England to join Premier League club Aston Villa. He signed a three-and-a-half-year deal for about £6.2 million. He also took over the number 17 shirt at Aston Villa.

He made his Premier League debut for Aston Villa on January 25, 2011, in a 2–1 win against Wigan Athletic. However, in February 2011, he was sent off in a match and received a three-game ban. He returned in March but found it hard to get a regular spot in the team. He played 8 matches for Aston Villa that season.

In the 2011–12 season, Makoun only played one match for Aston Villa. He struggled to get into the first team. He later left Aston Villa permanently in 2013.

Loan to Olympiacos

Makoun about to do kick up during training at his time at Olympiacos.

On August 28, 2011, Makoun joined the Greek club Olympiacos on a loan deal for the season. He chose the number 77 shirt.

Makoun after kicking a ball during training at his time at Olympiacos.

Makoun made his Olympiacos debut in a Champions League match in September 2011. Five days later, he played his first league game. He quickly became a regular player in midfield. In November 2011, he scored his first goal for Olympiacos. He then suffered a knee injury but returned in January 2012. In February 2012, he scored his second goal for the club. He helped Olympiacos win the league title for the second year in a row. He also played in the Greek Football Cup Final, which Olympiacos won. He played 30 matches and scored two goals for Olympiacos. After his loan, he returned to Aston Villa because Olympiacos could not afford to sign him permanently. He said he was happy with his time there and the titles he won.

Playing for Rennes

Makoun warming up prior to a match in 2014.

On August 25, 2012, Makoun went on loan to the French club Rennes for the 2012–13 season. This happened because the new Aston Villa manager did not have him in his plans.

Makoun played his first game back in France for Rennes in September 2012. In October 2012, he scored his first goal for Rennes against Montpellier. He quickly became a regular player for Rennes. The manager praised his experience and positive attitude. He was sent off in a match in November 2012 but returned in December. He suffered a thigh injury later that month but returned in January 2013. He helped set up goals for his teammates. In February 2013, he scored his second goal for Rennes. In April, it was announced that he would join Rennes permanently. He played in the Coupe de la Ligue Final, which Rennes lost. He played 32 matches and scored two goals that season.

In the 2013–14 season, Makoun continued to be a regular midfielder for Rennes. He helped set up two goals in a match in September 2013. He scored his first goal of the season in March 2014. A week later, he scored a goal in the French Cup semi-finals, helping Rennes reach the final. He played in the Coupe de France Final, which Rennes lost. He suffered an ankle injury in that match, ending his season. He played 35 matches and scored two goals.

Makoun prepare to do training at Marville stadium.

In the 2014–15 season, Makoun played only one match for Rennes. He was dropped from the first team due to problems with the manager. He spent most of the season training with the reserve team. He was released by the club at the end of the season.

Playing for Antalyaspor

On August 27, 2015, Makoun joined the Turkish club Antalyaspor.

He made his debut for Antalyaspor in September 2015. He played in and out of the starting lineup. In February 2016, he scored his first goal for Antalyaspor. He scored two more goals in April and May 2016. He also set up goals for his teammates. He played 31 matches and scored three goals that season.

In the 2016–17 season, Makoun played in the first three league matches before getting a muscle injury. He then lost his regular spot in the team. In December 2016, he scored his first goal of the season. He played 9 matches and scored one goal. He was released by Antalyaspor after this season.

Later Career

After leaving Antalyaspor, Makoun joined the Turkish Cypriot club Merit Alsancak Yeşilova SK in October 2018. He played there for two years until May 2020. He later said he had stopped playing professional football and wanted to return to France.

International Career

Jean Makoun played for the Cameroon national team. He made his debut for Cameroon in November 2003 in a match against Japan. Two months later, he was part of the Cameroonian team for the 2004 African Nations Cup. He played in the tournament, where Cameroon finished at the top of their group but did not reach the semi-finals.

After Cameroon did not qualify for the 2006 World Cup, Makoun was called up for the 2006 African Nations Cup. He helped set up a goal in a win against Togo. He also scored in a long penalty shootout against Ivory Coast in the quarter-finals, but Cameroon lost.

Makoun was part of Cameroon's squad for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana. He played three times in the tournament. Cameroon reached the final but lost 1–0 to Egypt. Later that year, in October 2008, he scored his first goal for Cameroon in a 5–0 win against Mauritius. A year later, he scored two more goals. He also helped Cameroon qualify for the 2010 World Cup.

In May 2010, Makoun was chosen for Cameroon's World Cup squad. He played his first World Cup game against Japan. He played in all of Cameroon's games in the 2010 World Cup. In October 2012, Makoun was called back to the national team after a break. He scored two goals against Tunisia in November 2013, which helped Cameroon qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He made his last appearance for Cameroon in the 2014 World Cup against Brazil. On August 27, 2014, Makoun announced his retirement from international football.

Personal Life

Jean Makoun likes to be called Jean II because his father, Jean Sr., was also a footballer. Makoun is married and has four children, including Jean III Makoun, who also became a footballer. In April 2011, Makoun was given time off from Aston Villa to return to Cameroon after his wife and one of his children were in a car crash. Besides French, Makoun also learned to speak English during his time playing in England.

Career Statistics

Club

International

Scores and results list Templatonia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Makoun goal.

List of international goals scored by Jean Makoun

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	11 October 2008	Yaoundé, Cameroon	Mauritius	4–0	5–0	2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
2	9 September 2009	Yaoundé, Cameroon	Gabon	1–0	2–1	2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
3	10 October 2009	Yaoundé, Cameroon	Togo	2–0	3–0	2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
4	17 November 2013	Yaoundé, Cameroon	Tunisia	3–1	4–1	2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
5				4–1

Honours

Lille

• UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2004

Olympiacos

• Super League Greece: 2011–12
• Greek Cup: 2011–12

Cameroon

• Africa Cup of Nations runner-up: 2008

See also

In Spanish: Jean Makoun para niños