Jean II Makoun (; born 29 May 1983) is a Cameroonian former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He played for the Cameroon national team from 2003 to 2015.
Club career
Lille
Born in Yaoundé, Cameroon, Makoun began his career in his native Cameroon at Cotonsport Garoua, where he was part of the team's youth setup. Following this, he spent time at other Cameroonian clubs Jeunesse Star and Tonnerre Yaoundé, before moving to France, to join Ligue 1 club Lille. Makoun started out playing in the centre–back position but when he was at Lille, Makoun began playing in the centre–back position. Having progressed through the ranks of Lille youth system, he signed his professional contract, keeping him until 2006.
Makoun was called up to the first team by Manager Claude Puel during the 2002–03 season. He made his Lille debut, coming on as a 63rd-minute substitute, in a 1–0 loss against SC Bastia on 2 November 2002. Makoun made his first start for the side, starting the whole game, in a 2–0 loss against OGC Nice on 10 January 2003. At the end of the 2002–03 season, he went on to make thirteen appearances in all competitions.
At the start of the 2003–04 season, Makoun scored his first goal for the club, as they beat the defending champion, Lyon, to win 1–0. He quickly became a first team regular for the side under the management of Puel, who was impressed with his quality performance. As the season progressed, Makoun began to develop for the side by displaying "good technique and a lucidity which regularly allows him to play his role as a passer." On 31 October 2003, Makoun scored his first goal of the season, in a 2–0 win against Nîmes Olympique in the second round of the Coupe de la Ligue. Two months later on 17 December 2003, he scored his second goal of the season, in a 3–2 loss against Saint-Étienne in the last 16 of the Coupe de la Ligue. At the end of the 2003–04 season, Makoun went on to make thirty–four appearances and scoring three times in all competitions.
At the start of the 2004–05 season, Makoun continued to regain his first team place, playing in the midfield position. Makoun started the season well when he helped Lille win the UEFA Intertoto Cup after beating U.D. Leiria 2–0 on aggregate. On 21 December 2004, Makoun scored his first goal of the season against Strasbourg Alsace in the third round of the Coupe de la Ligue, as Lille lost 4–2 in penalty shootout following a 1–1 draw. However, during a 0–0 draw against Sochaux on 5 February 2005, he suffered a knee injury in the 6th minute, resulting in his substitution and was sidelined for a month. On 20 March 2005, Makoun returned to the starting line–up against Saint-Étienne, as he helped the side draw 0–0. At the end of the 2004–05 season, he went on to make forty–seven appearances and scoring once in all competitions. Reflecting to the 2004–05 season, Makoun said: "I had a great season. If I drew the attention of France-Foot journalists, it is because I have been very consistent. My club, Lille, was aligned on several fronts. We started our season with the Inter-toto cup. After this stage, we were eliminated at the quarter-final stage of the Uefa Cup by Auxerre. In the league, we finished in second place, a position that directly qualifies us for the next Champions League. Unfortunately, for the two trophies competing in France, our journey was not very brilliant".
At the start of the 2005–06 season, Makoun started the season well when he scored his first goal of the season, in a 3–3 draw against AC Ajaccio on 8 August 2005. Makoun continued to regain his first team place, playing in the midfield position. His second goal for the side came on 17 September 2005, in a 4–0 win against OGC Nice. A month later on 22 October 2005, he scored his third goal of the season, in a 2–0 win against FC Nantes. His performance against Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League earned him praises from the British media. After spending January with his international duty, Makoun returned to the first team, starting the whole game, in a 0–0 draw against Paris Saint-Germain on 12 February 2006. However, he was then sent–off for a straight red card in the 50th minute, in a 1–0 win against AS Monaco on 26 February 2006. After serving a one match, Makoun returned to the starting line–up on 9 March 2006, helping the side win 1–0 against Sevilla in the first leg of the UEFA Cup. Two weeks later on 25 March 2006, he made his 100th appearance for the side, in a 2–2 draw against Strasbourg. On 6 May 2006, Makoun scored his fourth goal of the season, in a 4–0 win against Lyon. As a result, the win saw the club qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season. At the end of the 2005–06 season, he went on to make forty–three appearances and scoring four times in all competitions.
Ahead of the 2006–07 season, Makoun was linked a move away from Lille over the summer, but he made it clear of staying at the club. Makoun continued to regain his first team place, playing in the midfield position. He then helped the side qualify for the UEFA Champions League Group after beating FK Rabotnički 4–0 on aggregate in both legs. It was announced on 10 October 2006 that Makoun signed a contract extension with the club, keeping him until 2011. Four days later on 14 October 2006, he set up the club's equalising goal, in a 1–1 draw against Troyes. Three days later on 17 October 2006, Makoun scored his first goal of the game, in a 3–1 win against AEK Athens. Three months later on 24 January 2007, he scored his second goal of the game, in a 1–0 win against Paris Saint-Germain. Despite being sidelined on four occasions during the 2006–07 season, Makoun made forty–five appearances and scoring two times in all competitions.
Having missed the opening game of the season, Makoun made his first appearance of the 2007–08 season, starting the whole game, in a 2–1 win against Metz on 12 August 2007. Two weeks later on 26 August 2007, he scored his first goal of the season, in a 1–1 draw against Paris Saint-Germain. Since the start of the 2007–08 season, Makoun started in the next eleven league matches before being sidelined with an abdominal wall. On 24 November 2007, he returned to the starting line–up, as Lille lost 2–0 against AS Nancy. After being sidelined due to his international commitment with Cameroon, Makoun returned to the starting line–up, starting the whole game, in a 0–0 draw against Valenciennes on 8 March 2008. He then regained his first team place for the rest of the 2007–08 season. On 20 April 2008, Makoun scored his second goal of the season, in a 3–1 win against Marseille. At the end of the 2007–08 season, he went on to make twenty–seven appearances and scoring two times in all competitions.
Following this, Makoun's performances attracted interest from clubs around Europe, including Premier League clubs Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as Serie A club Juventus, and French clubs AS Monaco, Marseille, and Lyon. He became a firm fixture in the Lille side, making more than 150 appearances for the team in the league, and playing UEFA Champions League football. Upon leaving the club, Lille pay tribute to him, praising his courage, commitment and his loyalty.
Lyon
On 16 June 2008, Makoun signed with seven-time French champions Lyon on a four-year contract, where he re–joined Manager Claude Puel shortly after.Jean II Makoun est lyonnais The fee was worth €14 million with Lille set to receive another €1 million based on incentives. During his time with Lyon, Makoun wore the number 17 shirt, which was retired in 2003 after the death of Cameroonian midfielder Marc-Vivien Foé. Makoun, also from Cameroon and a native of Yaoundé, stated on wearing the number: "In memory of Marc, for me and for the whole Cameroon, this will be for something."
Makoun started well on his debut for Olympique Lyonnais when he scored the club's first goal of the season, in a 3–0 win over Toulouse. Two weeks later on 23 August 2008, Makoun scored his second goal of the game, in a 2–0 win against Grenoble Foot. Since making his debut for Olympique Lyonnais, he quickly established himself in the starting eleven for the side, playing in the midfield position. In a UEFA Champions League match against Steaua Bucharest, Makoun set up the club's first goal of the game when they were 2–1, as they made a comeback with a 5–2 win. A month later on 25 November 2008, he scored his first UEFA Champions League goal, in a 2–1 win against Fiorentina. He then scored two goals in two matches between 8 February 2009 and 15 February 2009 against Nice and Le Havre (which he also made a double assist during the match). Makoun scored two more goals in March, scoring against his former club, Lille in the round of 16 of Coupe de France, which Lyon lost 3–2 and Barcelona in the last-sixteen second leg of the UEFA Champions League, which Lyon lost 5–2. Two months later on 12 May 2009, he scored twice for the side, as they won 3–0 against FC Nantes. At the end of the 2008–09 season, Makoun made forty–six appearances and scoring ten times in all competitions.
At the start of the 2009–10 season, Makoun continued to regain his first team place, playing in the midfield position. He then scored his first goal of the season, in a 3–0 win against AJ Auxerre on 22 August 2009. This was followed up by setting up the club's third goal of the game, in a 3–1 win against AS Nancy. Makoun then helped the side qualify for the UEFA Champions League Group after beating Anderlecht 8–2 on aggregate. However, he was often inconsistent in midfield, which was subjected to criticism from Lyon fans and demands Makoun to leave the club, despite having played regularly. Nevertheless, Makoun set up a goal for Lisandro López, in a 5–5 draw against rivals, Marseille on 8 November 2009. Makoun then helped the club qualify for the knockout stage with thirteen points in the group stage, finishing in second place. However, he received a red card after a second bookable offence in a 0–0 draw against Toulouse on 7 February 2010. Amid to suspension, Makoun scored the only goal in Lyon's first leg UEFA Champions League knockout round win over Real Madrid at Stade Gerland by hitting a looping shot from 25 yards out over the head of goalkeeper Iker Casillas and into the top corner of the net in the 47th minute. After the match, Makoun said his goal 'delighted' him. Eventually, Lyon went through to the next stage in the Champions League after a 1–1 draw in a second leg. However, Lyon was eliminated in the semi–finals in the UEFA Champions League after losing 4–0 against Bayern Munich on aggregate. Despite being sidelined on three occasions later in the 2009–10 season, he made forty–one appearances and scoring two times in all competitions.
Makoun made his first appearance of the 2010–11 season, starting the whole game, in a 3–2 loss against SM Caen on 15 August 2010. In a follow-up match against Stade Brestois 29, he scored his first goal of the season, in a 1–0 win. Makoun then set up two goals, in a 3–1 win against Lens on 21 November 2010. However, his third season at Lyon was more even difficult for him, as he suffered a thigh injury and endured an up and down as he experiencing peaks and troughs aplenty. Even worse when he struggled to hold down a regular first-team place. Makoun spoke out, saying that he might leave the club for a fresh start. By the time Makoun departed Olympique Lyonnais, he made seventeen appearances and scoring once in all competitions.
Aston Villa