The storytelling is worthy of a fairy tale. A dream start when he returned to the Monaco training center at 15 years old. Followed by a period of doubt, without really having clubs between his 19 and 22 years. And finally, a perfect outcome, at 25, in one of the biggest championships in the world, after spending two seasons in Slovenia.
However, the end point of Antoine Makoumbou’s story still seems far away. The dream, too, continues for the central midfielder of Cagliari who will play his second Serie A match against Inter Milan, this Monday August 28 (8:45 p.m., BeIN Sport 1). Head in the stars, the one who hopes to experience the next African Cup of Nations (CAN) in January with Congo, tells us about his incredible journey. That of a Villejuifois, born in the Lozaits district, who succeeded in making his dream a reality. Thanks to his faith, his perseverance and above all his talent.
The enchanted beginnings
“From childhood, football has always been a priority for me. My father made me grow up with that, he was himself a player. When I was a kid, my idol was Zinedine Zidane. I loved his class, his elegance too much. In Villejuif, I did all my classes then I was recruited by Monaco when I was 12 years old. I was surprised signing there. When you’re little, you tell yourself that it can only be a dream to go to a pro club. I was able to enter Monaco at 15 as there was no pre-training center. For three years, I was at the CFFP (Centre de Formation de Football de Paris), a sort of fairly well-known hope center at the time. »
“Setting foot in the Principality was a real change for me. It was my first time out of the suburbs and it surprised me. At the beginning, it was complicated leaving my family. There was no longer anyone to pamper me. It was a new life that was beginning. »
The drifting dream
“In 15 years and 17 years national, I had not played much. From the second year, Monaco was already looking for a way out. During my third season, a coach believed in me. Frederic Barilaro. He had started me on a few games. At that time, I rubbed shoulders with Kylian Mbappé, Loïc Badiashile and other players. We formed a small group. Now I am from afar. »
“As I played little, I did futsal on the side to keep in shape. I knew there were a lot of pro players there who could watch me play. I was able to meet Abdoulaye, an agent. After four years at the club, Monaco parted ways with me. I was 19 years old. »
Crossing the desert
“I directly carried out tests in professional clubs: Strasbourg, Lorient, Atalanta Bergamo (Italy), Monza (Italy). An agent made me sign in Ajaccio, but I left after a month because things were going badly. I spent six months without a club before landing a two-year contract in Mainz (Germany). I was 20 years old. I spent a year there playing very little with the reserves. So I left the club. Again without anything, I went back to do some tests. In Annecy, Nîmes, Caen, Molenbeek and Olhanense (3rd Portuguese division). »
“It had been three years since I had played in a club. I had only chained the tests, where you stay three days, then you wait for answers. Sometimes you don’t get any. It was hard and I had just turned 22. »
“I reconnected with Abdoulaye who welcomed me to Venice after confinement (May 2020) to introduce me to an Italian agent, Renato. He sent me to Chievo Verone. But, I was placed directly with the Primavera (the U 19) for three weeks when I wanted to train with the pros. At that moment, I said to myself: if it doesn’t work with the Chievo, I stop. I had been without a club for four years. But I kept the strength. Thanks to my Christian faith. Without her, I wouldn’t be here today. »
Slovenia, the winning leap into the unknown
“It’s October 2020 and I still haven’t found a club. Renato called me and said: I have a club for you in Slovenia. We leave tomorrow morning. I’m coming to pick you up by car. It was like in a movie! I didn’t even know where it was. When I arrived at NK Tabor Sežana, I was offered a professional contract directly. I signed saying to myself: Don’t look where you are going, anyway if you have talent, you will bounce back. »
“In the championship, I saw that there was NK Maribo. They have already played in the Champions League. Seeing this gave me hope. I have always had confidence in myself. But you can lose it after several failures. I wondered if I had the level, if I was made for it. But, from the start, I broke everything on the pitch. Lots of agents were talking to me after games. One in particular caught my attention. I felt affection from him. »
“At the truce, Matthias Pogba signed in Sežana. Me, I was a fan of Paul, his brother. In Monaco, people told me: you even walk like Paul Pogba (laughs)! We lived in the same room for six months. There weren’t all these stories yet at that time. He helped me sign with this agent. Everything changed. »
“At the end of the season, I joined NK Maribor. I entered the bath directly in the preliminary round of the Europa League Conference. Then I chained the tenures and we won the championship at the end of the season. It was crazy. »
Cagliari, Ranieri, the pays
“In July 2022, I signed for Cagliari (Serie B). It was amazing. A few months later, Sir Claudio Ranieri arrived. I was sawed. When I was in Monaco, I was a ball boy and I saw him coaching. Now he’s my trainer! Every time I see him, my eyes sparkle. With him, last season, we managed to move up to Serie A.”
“At the final whistle, in the last game against Bari, I was running around, not knowing where to go, and I collapsed. I held my head, looked up at the sky and thought about my whole story. Today, I am still living a dream. Against Torino (August 21), I said a prayer on the pitch and I shed a tear thinking back to my life. »
“On Monday, we will play against Inter Milan, it’s incredible. There are internationals, big names, players I used to play PlayStation with (laughs). I think back to the little boy who dreamed of playing these matches. I don’t have the words… It’s just beautiful. But I’m still a crazy dreamer and I know I can go even further. »
“In 2021, I had my first with Congo. A great pride. My parents were born there and they taught me the values of the country. I had never been to Africa before that. I discovered a fervor (he sighs), it was exceptional. In September, we play against Gambia for the qualification for the CAN in January. On the way, I scored my first goal with the selection. It could be incredible to experience a CAN. Hoping it does. »
#dreamer #Villejuif #Serie #crazy #chaotic #rise #Makoumbou
