Jean Makoun facts for kids
Makoun with Olympiacos in 2012
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Jean II Makoun | ||
| Date of birth | 29 May 1983 | ||
| Place of birth | Yaoundé, Cameroon | ||
| Height | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) | ||
| Position(s) | 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) | |
| International career | |||
| 2003–2014 | Cameroon | 68 | (10) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and 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 also for the Cameroon national team from 2003 to 2014.
Contents
Jean Makoun's Club Journey
Starting at 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.
Makoun first played as a defender, but at Lille, he started playing in the midfield. He joined the first team in the 2002–03 season. His first game for Lille was on November 2, 2002. He quickly became a regular player for the team.
In the 2003–04 season, Makoun scored his first goal for Lille. It was a big moment as they beat the champions, Lyon, 1–0. He showed great skill and helped his team a lot. He scored two more goals that season in cup games.
The 2004–05 season started well for Makoun. He helped Lille win the UEFA Intertoto Cup. This was an important trophy for the club. He continued to play a key role in midfield. Lille finished second in the league, which meant they qualified for the UEFA Champions League.
Makoun kept playing well in the 2005–06 season. He scored four goals and helped Lille qualify for the Champions League again. He even played against famous teams like Manchester United. He made his 100th appearance for Lille that season.
He signed a new contract with Lille in 2006, showing his commitment to the club. He continued to be a strong midfielder, scoring important goals. By the end of the 2007–08 season, Makoun had played over 150 games for Lille. Many big clubs in Europe noticed his talent.
Moving to Lyon
In June 2008, Jean Makoun joined Lyon, a very successful French club. He reunited with his former coach, Claude Puel. Makoun chose to wear the number 17 shirt. This number was special because it was retired in memory of Marc-Vivien Foé, another Cameroonian midfielder who had passed away. Makoun said wearing it was "in memory of Marc."
Makoun started his time at Lyon with a bang, scoring in his very first game. He quickly became a key player in the midfield. He also scored his first UEFA Champions League goal for Lyon against Fiorentina. He had a great first season, scoring ten goals in all competitions.
In the 2009–10 season, Makoun continued to play regularly. He scored a memorable goal against Real Madrid in the Champions League. He shot from far away, and the ball went over the goalkeeper's head into the net. Lyon reached the semi-finals of the Champions League that year.
His third season at Lyon (2010–11) was a bit tougher. He faced some injuries and found it harder to keep his regular spot. By the time he left Lyon, he had played 17 games and scored one goal that season.
Time at Aston Villa
In January 2011, Makoun moved to England to play for Premier League club Aston Villa. He signed a three-and-a-half-year contract. He wore the number 17 shirt, just like at Lyon.
He made his debut for Aston Villa on January 25, 2011, in a win against Wigan Athletic. However, he received a red card in a later game, which meant he was suspended for three matches. After his suspension, he struggled to get back into the team. He only played eight games for Aston Villa that season.
In the 2011–12 season, Makoun played only one game for Aston Villa. He then went on loan to other clubs.
Loan to Olympiacos
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In August 2011, Makoun joined the Greek club Olympiacos on a loan deal for one season. He chose the number 77 shirt.
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He made his debut for Olympiacos in a Champions League match in September 2011. He quickly became an important player in their midfield. He scored his first goal for the club in November 2011. Makoun helped Olympiacos win the league title and the Greek Cup that season. He played 30 games and scored two goals. After a successful season, he returned to Aston Villa.
Return to France with Rennes
In August 2012, Makoun went back to France, joining Rennes on loan for the 2012–13 season. The new Aston Villa manager did not have him in his plans.
Makoun made his return to French football in September 2012. He scored his first goal for Rennes in October, helping them win against Montpellier. He quickly became a regular starter for Rennes. His coach praised him as an "experienced, positive, and generous player."
In April 2013, it was announced that Makoun would join Rennes permanently. He played in the Coupe de la Ligue Final that season, but Rennes lost. He finished the season with 32 appearances and two goals.
For the 2013–14 season, Makoun continued to be a key player in midfield. He scored two goals and helped Rennes reach the Coupe de France Final. However, they lost the final. He made 35 appearances that season.
In the 2014–15 season, Makoun played only one game for Rennes. He had some disagreements with the coach and spent most of the season training with the reserve team. He left the club at the end of the season.
Playing in Turkey with Antalyaspor
In August 2015, Makoun moved to Turkey to play for Antalyaspor. He made his debut in September 2015. He scored his first goal for the club in February 2016. He played 31 games and scored three goals in his first season.
In the 2016–17 season, Makoun faced a muscle injury and played fewer games. He scored one goal that season. After two years, he left Antalyaspor.
Later Career
After leaving Antalyaspor, Makoun joined a Turkish Cypriot club called Merit Alsancak Yeşilova SK in October 2018. He played there for two years. In May 2020, he became a free agent. Jean Makoun has since retired from professional football. He has expressed a wish to return to France.
Jean Makoun's International Career
Jean Makoun played for the Cameroon national team from 2003 to 2014. He made his debut for Cameroon in November 2003 in a game against Japan.
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. He also played in the 2006 African Nations Cup, where Cameroon lost in a penalty shootout in the quarter-finals.
Makoun was in Cameroon's squad for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations. Cameroon reached the final but lost to Egypt. Later that year, he scored his first goal for Cameroon in a big 5–0 win against Mauritius. He scored two more goals in 2009, helping Cameroon qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
In May 2010, Makoun was chosen for Cameroon's squad for the World Cup. He played in all of Cameroon's games in the tournament.
In October 2012, Makoun was called back to the national team. He scored two important goals against Tunisia in November 2013. These goals helped Cameroon qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He played his last game for Cameroon in the 2014 World Cup against Brazil. On August 27, 2014, Makoun announced his retirement from international football.
Jean Makoun's 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. One of his children, Jean III Makoun, is also following in his footsteps as a footballer.
In April 2011, Makoun was given time off from Aston Villa to go back to Cameroon. This was because his wife and one of his children were in a car accident.
Besides speaking French, Makoun also learned to speak English during his time playing in England.
Career Statistics
Club Appearances and Goals
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Europe | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Lille | 2002–03 | Ligue 1 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| 2003–04 | Ligue 1 | 32 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 2 | |
| 2004–05 | Ligue 1 | 33 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 41 | 1 | |
| 2005–06 | Ligue 1 | 31 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 42 | 5 | |
| 2006–07 | Ligue 1 | 33 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 43 | 2 | |
| 2007–08 | Ligue 1 | 26 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 2 | |
| Total | 165 | 9 | 8 | 2 | 25 | 1 | 198 | 12 | ||
| Lyon | 2008–09 | Ligue 1 | 35 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 47 | 9 |
| 2009–10 | Ligue 1 | 28 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 1 | 41 | 2 | |
| 2010–11 | Ligue 1 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 17 | 1 | |
| Total | 76 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 24 | 3 | 105 | 12 | ||
| Aston Villa | 2010–11 | Premier League | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| 2011–12 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | ||
| Olympiacos (loan) | 2011–12 | Super League Greece | 19 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 31 | 2 |
| Rennes II (loan) | 2012–13 | Championnat de France Amateur 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Rennes (loan) | 2012–13 | Ligue 1 | 28 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 2 |
| Rennes | 2013–14 | Ligue 1 | 30 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 2 |
| 2014–15 | Ligue 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 31 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 2 | ||
| Rennes II | 2014–15 | Championnat de France Amateur 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Antalyaspor | 2015–16 | Süper Lig | 25 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 3 |
| 2016–17 | Süper Lig | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | |
| Total | 33 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 4 | ||
| Career total | 364 | 26 | 31 | 4 | 57 | 4 | 456 | 34 | ||
International Goals
- Scores and results list Templatonia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Makoun goal.
| 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 and Achievements
Jean Makoun won several titles during his career:
With Lille
- UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2004
With Olympiacos
- Super League Greece: 2011–12
- Greek Cup: 2011–12
With Cameroon National Team
- Africa Cup of Nations runner-up: 2008
See also
In Spanish: Jean Makoun para niños
