Louvière, Belgium – The path to professional football is rarely straightforward, and for Cristian Makaté, it was paved with hardship, sacrifice, and a period of sleeping in a garage. Now playing for RAAL La Louvière, the young forward is focused on securing playing time and continuing his development, a journey that began with a loan move from Union Saint-Gilloise. Makaté’s story is a testament to perseverance and the unwavering support of his family.
Makaté’s current situation arose after finding himself on the periphery at Union Saint-Gilloise, a club where opportunities were limited. While acknowledging the recent injuries within Union’s attacking ranks, Makaté expressed no regret over the loan move. “With hindsight, one can say, ‘I could have done this or that,’ but you don’t know what would have happened,” he said, as reported by DHnet.be. “I was patient for five months. It’s a good opportunity for the guys from the Academy. Sekou Keita is strong too, and he’s not the only one. I have no regrets. I’m really happy with this loan.”
The decision to join RAAL La Louvière, a team battling to maintain its position in Belgian football, was driven by a desire for consistent playing time. “I came here to get minutes, to gain confidence, to identify my path as a player,” Makaté explained. “Everyone knows it was difficult at Union. Plus, I came from D1ACFF [the Belgian second division reserves], it’s not the same thing.” He views the move as a crucial step in his development, appreciating the patience of the coaching staff and the supportive environment at the club.
Despite his recent success, Makaté’s path wasn’t always clear. He acknowledges that he could have initially joined Tubize, but language barriers and the intervention of Naïm Aarab, now at Anderlecht, ultimately led him to Union Saint-Gilloise’s reserve team. “First, it was with Pocognoli at Union, but he refused the test, without me knowing why,” Makaté recalled. “My agent then proposed it to Tubize, but the fact that I didn’t master French at the time blocked me. Finally, Naïm Aarab, a player who worked with Union, helped me. With my agent and Chris O’Loughlin [Union’s sporting director], they pushed for me to join Union’s B team.”
Makaté’s journey wasn’t limited to on-field challenges. His early struggles in Italy, playing for Ambrosiona in Serie D, were particularly difficult. He faced a lack of playing time and financial hardship, culminating in a period where he was forced to sleep in a garage. “I wasn’t playing in Italy,” he admitted. “But what I wanted was to be a footballer. I sent a message to all the agents I knew, but no one wanted to help me. Thanks to a teammate in Italy, I managed to find an agent in Belgium, but I had no money to come. He paid for everything: food, travel… Since it was difficult to pay rent, I agreed to sleep in a garage because the only thing I cared about was playing football. Even if I had to sleep outside, I would have done it.”
This period of adversity instilled in Makaté a deep sense of gratitude and determination. “When I look at the path I’ve taken, I’m proud of myself. Many would have stopped. Not me. Today, I continue to live my dream,” he stated. He credits his family’s unwavering support for his perseverance, highlighting their sacrifices to help him pursue his footballing ambitions. “They woke up early in the morning, worked extra hours, and then took me to training after school. My mother even had two jobs. I realize that my family has always wanted the best for me.”
Currently, Makaté is focused on making an impact at RAAL La Louvière. He emphasized his desire to score goals and contribute to the team’s success. “Clearly, I came here to score. If I don’t score, I get angry (laughs). I want to score, and I will craft sure to create opportunities for myself. After getting playing time, the goals will come,” he said. Recent performances, as noted by DHnet.be, suggest he is doing just that, impressing the coaching staff alongside teammate Nachon Nsingi.
Looking back on his time with Union Saint-Gilloise’s B team, Makaté acknowledges the valuable experience he gained. Yet, he recognizes that the step up to the first team required further development. “I learned a lot at Union. Every day, I was around professional players, players at Champions League level. I’m proud of those five months in D1A. I realized my dream, which was to play with the first team. Today, I’m looking to play, to continue my development, and to gain confidence.”
As the Belgian First Division A season approaches its climax, Makaté and RAAL La Louvière face a crucial period. The team is battling to avoid relegation, and Makaté’s goals will be vital to their survival. His story serves as an inspiration, demonstrating that with hard work, determination, and the support of loved ones, even the most challenging obstacles can be overcome.
Next up for Makaté and RAAL La Louvière is a home match against Standard Liège on March 10th. Kick-off is scheduled for 8:30 PM local time (CET).
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