Christian Makoun: “This team is like a family”

Heron Talk

By Inter Miami CF

March 12^th, 2021

Back in South Florida and fully focused on the team’s preparations to be in peak condition for the start of the 2021 MLS campaign, defender / midfielder Christian Makoun shares how unity has reigned within the group in the course of the first week of preseason.

“We have new faces, but the majority of the group already knew each other from last year. We have a healthy environment in the locker room, which is very important, and very good people. We get along very well with the coaching staff, which is fundamental. This team is like a family and I believe that we represent that in a good way,” said Makoun. “We get along very well, we help each other. That's the most important thing, when it's game time you know that it's not your teammate, it’s someone that is part of your family. Things like that help and allow us to be better in the face of situations that may arise.”

Christian Makoun: “This team is like a family”

The versatile player from Venezuela also discussed what it has been like to work under new head coach Phil Neville, who is bonding well with the group and has been able to communicate clearly with the players despite having a host of spanish speakers in the squad.

“It had been good for the group to train with Phil [Neville]. We’ve had some very good training sessions. I see everything in a good light. So, we continue working hard, getting to know him, he continues to get to know us and every day we continue getting better and preparing more,” explained the 21year old.

“When he has to communicate in Spanish he does it in a way that we understand. Everybody here has to do their part and collaborate a little. We try to pay attention and understand, and he works to get the message across. I think we’ve done a good job. We’ve worked well together and everything has worked out wonderfully,” he added.

Lastly, Makoun detailed how he navigated the extensive offseason period, the focus of his workouts during the holidays prior to returning to Inter Miami CF Training Center, and his personal goals ahead of his second season at the Club.

“In my individual workouts I focused on being in good shape physically, coming back at the right weight and being in good shape overall so the start of the preseason wouldn’t hit me hard. I was working out at the gym, with a personal trainer and with some teammates on the pitch as well. I think it was very beneficial for me to arrive at preseason in the best possible shape.

“My main objective is to play. To play as many games as possible. I need to demonstrate what I can bring to the team, what I’m capable of doing when I'm doing well, when I play. That’s what I had in mind, what I’ve been working for and what I keep working towards. My goals are to play and to help the team, that’s the most important thing,” he concluded.

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