Christian Makoun quietly establishing himself as important player for Inter Miami
The young Venezuelan who was hindered by COVID-related issues in 2020 has been impressing as of late as a centerback
If there has been one player who has quietly been making himself a more important player in the Inter Miami squad in recent weeks, it is probably Christian Makoun.
One year after contracting COVID-19 and dealing with aftereffects that sources have told Miami Total Futbol raised serious concerns about his health, Makoun has quietly pieced together some solid performances during Inter Miami’s recent surge. The Venezuelan has done so as the left centerback in the South Florida side’s new five-man back line, and Inter Miami has gone unbeaten (2-0-1) in each of the three games in which he has started at that position.
“He has been outstanding,” said Inter Miami head coach Phil Neville on Friday. “What I have loved about Christian is that from where he was at the start of the season to where he is now, his growth has been incredible. He is is leaner, he is fitter, he is a boy that played no football for 12 months.
“…Ultimately, he has worked his socks off. We have put him through the mill in terms of some of the strength and conditioning we have put into him, some of the technical work that we felt was missing from his game.”
Makoun’s improvements have been on display as of late for Inter Miami, albeit in a subtle way. He has not made any plays that have really wowed or that would make a highlight reel, but has been reliable defensively while also looking a more confident and polished player with the ball at his feet.
Whereas last year Makoun seemed uncomfortable when in possession in the limited appearances he made, this recent stretch has seen him become a primary option to initiate play through when Inter Miami tries to build attacking sequences from back to front. The 21-year-old defender has finished with the most touches on the team in his last two starts (70 vs. the Chicago Fire and 95 vs. Nashville SC), and had the second-most in the game before that (56 vs. Orlando City).
What’s more, he has respectively finished with passing completion marks of 82.5, 89.4, and 85.4 percent in those recent appearances.
“When you are his size — he is not the biggest, he is not the tallest, you would not say he is the most imposing — you have to have something that is an X-factor. His left foot is an X-factor for us,” said Neville of Makoun, who may just be generously listed at 6-foot-1. “When he is coming out on that left hand side, he gives us great control. His composure is getting better and better, his decision-making is getting better and better, and the growth that I still think that he has got is a lot.
“He is a young person that is like a sponge, he takes all the information on, he wants to learn, but he does it in a real humble way. I think in terms of players that we have tried to develop in our trainings, he has probably been the one that has shone through more than anyone else at this moment in time in terms of his growth. We are really pleased with how he is going and he is becoming a really, really important member of the starting XI.”
For Makoun, that is more than a welcome development after a challenging 2020. Not only was the youngster’s first MLS season impacted by COVID-19, but so too was his personal life and health. Sources have told Miami Total Futbol that there were some complications after he contracted the virus that limited his participation for a period, something the player alluded to in an emotional post on his Instagram account last summer.
That is largely in the rearview mirror, though. Makoun — who had been considered a central midfielder at times throughout his career and started this season playing as a reserve left back — is enjoying the present as an Inter Miami starting centerback.
“Last year was very difficult for everyone and especially for me, but I think this is the prize for perseverance, for always working to improve and waiting for my moment,” said Makoun in Spanish on Friday. “What happened last year is in the past, and this year I have been given the confidence and I have worked very, very hard and had the belief that my moment would be there. “
His moment is now, and he is more than delivering. It might be no coincidence, after all, that the lone loss Inter Miami has suffered during this recent uptick came when Neville questionably went with natural fullback Kelvin Leerdam at centerback over Makoun in a 2-0 defeat to New York City FC. Leerdam went on to be involved in both goals given up.
Still, Makoun is not letting that or his recent positive run of form get to his head. His present moment is a good one, yes, but for him this is just the beginning.
“Thankfully, we can say I have had a good amount of minutes played and am playing well, but this is not the end,” said Makoun. “I want more, I want to improve, I want to continue to grow. I am a young player who hopefully has a long career ahead. I have to keep working, but with the confidence I have been given I think we are on a good path."