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Some of the greatest athletes around the world have emerged from difficult financial and social situations and as Venezuela experiences great international pressure for the severity of its current economic situation it has given birth to Venezuela's most promising footballing generation. Venezuela is a true minnow of the game, failing to ever qualify for a single senior World Cup and are the traditional continental whipping boys of South America. All the signs indicate that Venezuela's influence on the world's game is about to be finally felt and at the centrepiece of that belief is 18-year-old Christian Makoun.
Juventus beat off Real Madrid and Arsenal for the teenager's signature and at first glimpse, it is easy to understand the attraction. Makoun is currently captaining Venezuela at the South American U20 Championships as his country attempts to qualify for their second consecutive U20 World Cup. Makoun, who is also a former U17 captain, has been one of the star performers of the 2019 South American Championships as Venezuela topped their first-round group containing South American powerhouses Brazil, Colombia and Chile.
In the second round (Final Stage) the Venezuelans recorded one of the shocks of the tournament shutting down a Real Madrid-bound Rodrygo and his Brazil teammates 2-0. In that game, Makoun was a rock in the back as the Brazilians were frustrated for long periods.
With two games left to play and currently occupying a qualifying spot, there is a great chance that Venezuela would once again qualify for a youth World Cup. What is amazing is that it won't be Makoun's first time. At just 17, Makoun made his way onto Venezuela last U20 team, a team that went all the way to the World Cup final. England are very excited about their U20 World Cup-winning team, in that final England beat Makoun and Venezuela 1-0. A final that could have a very different result had Watford's Adalberto Peñaranda converted a second-half penalty.
Although born and raised in Venezuela Makoun's dad is a Cameroonian who lives in Belgium. This connection allowed Makoun to obtain his Belgium passport increasing his stock almost instantly. Venezuelan players and well non-European players at large have found it progressively difficult to obtain work authorization to play in Europe's top leagues. A noteworthy case is the aforementioned Peñaranda who has been Venezuela's bonafide prodigy for some time. Peñaranda had to wait 3 years before he could eventually secure a work permit to compete in the English Premier League despite already featuring 13 times for Venezuela's senior national team. Luckily for Makoun, with his Belgian passport, he won't have to deal with such a situation.
Typically a centre back, Makoun has technical qualities that allow him to very easily slip into the midfield as he has often done at both club and international level. The Juventus first team would be difficult to crack but Makoun has all the capabilities to suggest he will get the opportunity in the future.
