Hamidou Makalou
Country: Mali
Date of birth: 15/07/2006 (17 years old)
Place of birth: Bamako (Mali)
Height: 165cm
Youth career: Guidars FC
Current club: Guidars FC
Squad number: —
Current national team: Mali U-17
Position: defensive midfielder, central midfielder
Preferred foot: right
Market value (by transfermarkt.de): —
Tournaments participated in: 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup (7/2)
Contract until: unknown
Player’s agent: unknown
Transfer rumours: —
Similar type of player: N’Golo Kanté/Yves Bissouma
Strengths:
– pace 
– acceleration
– agility
– tackling
– bravery 
– work rate
– stamina
– passing 
– technique
– off the ball movement
– positioning
– shot power
– athleticism
To improve:
– very strong for his size, but he’s a player of a small frame, who needs to work hard on his physicality/strength
– composure on the ball, especially in the final third
Style of play:
– box-to-box midfielder
– player with a low centre of gravity, superb agility, body balance, changes of pace, and coordination
– perfect player for a high intensity and pressing team
– superb pace at all distances
– likes to make energetic on and off the ball runs through the middle
– able to make effective late runs into the opposite penalty box lurking for a chance to score
– very mobile and vertical player who covers a lot of space
– above-average passing skills also when it comes to breaking the lines with laser through passes
– likes to shoot from distance/possesses powerful shooting skills from mid and long-range
– energetic, consistent, and hard tackling player with an extremely high work rate
– likes to get into challenges, pressing opponents, and anticipating their moves
– positively aggressive and very combative in duels
– committed, courageous, and willing to sacrifice
– tireless runner with a fantastic engine
– he seems to be a quiet but very determined player, who always gives 100% on the pitch
– decent direct and indirect set piece taker
Makalou makes an energetic run through the middle and plays a superb line-breaking pass to his teammate on the wing.
Makalou reads the game well, outpaces his opponent, and wins the ball back.
Makalou leaves the line, presses his opponent, and forces him to make a mistake.
Heatmap by Wyscout:
He is best suited to playing as:
Central midfielder in 4-2-3-1.
Video:
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Achievements:
2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup 3rd place with Mali.
League summary (as for 1 December 2023):
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Description:
Hamidou Makalou is considered to be one of the most talented midfielders of his generation in Africa. In November 2023, he was one of the leaders of an excellent Malian team at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, where The Eagles finished 3rd and showed a fantastic generation of players such as Sekou Kone, Ibrahim Diarra, Mamadou Doumbia, Ibrahim Kanate, Issa Traore, Ange Martial Tia, Baye Coulibaly, and Mahamoud Barry.
Quotes:
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Football Talent Scout potential rating:
9/10 
Player has the potential to become a key player in a top European club.
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