When Zaire said no to Claude Makelele!

Africa 18 April 2025 at 13:20

Amine Jomni

News Editor

It's a little-known story, recounted by the page Histoire du sport congolais, known for its reliability despite the lack of confirmed official sources. It takes us back to the 90s, to a time when the fate of a young Congolese prodigy named Claude Makelele could have taken a completely different trajectory.

Claude Makelele, the former midfield powerhouse of the French national team, was born in Kinshasa on February 18, 1973. He is the son of another great name in Congolese football: André-Joseph Makelele, nicknamed "Soukous Makelele."

The latter shone in the colors of the Leopards, notably during a historic victory against Pelé's Santos in 1969.

Soukous Makelele, a visionary but powerless father

As Claude Makelele began his career in France, signing at 17 with Stade Brestois 29 and then joining FC Nantes in 1991 (where he primarily played with the reserve team), his father believed in him.

With his experience and respected name in the country, Soukous Makelele approached the Zairean Football Federation (FEZAFA) to propose his son for the national team.

The response? Cold and disconcerting. He was reportedly told that Claude was still too young, not yet at the required level for the senior team.

Between rejection, corruption, and economic crisis

Worse yet, some officials reportedly conditioned his call-up on a financial contribution - a practice unfortunately common at the time in a Zaire caught in an economic crisis.

Soukous Makelele, outraged, refused to give in to these demands. Claude, for his part, continued his journey in France.

In October 1993, he was called up with the French U21 team, then participated in the Olympics with the French team. On July 22, 1995, at 22, he earned his first cap for the senior team against Norway.

The beginning of a legend... elsewhere

By that time, the opportunity had passed for Zaire. Claude Makelele would never wear the colors of his native country.

He would go on to become an iconic player in world football, leaving an indelible mark at Real Madrid, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, and Marseille, while also making history with the French national team.

If this version of events is accurate, it reveals a monumental error by the Zairean federation: letting slip a player who could have embodied a renaissance for Congolese football.

A decision that, 34 years later, remains a regret for football lovers in Africa.