The portuguese newspaper Record revealed that the portuguese striker Ariza Makukula of Valladolid was invited to play for DR Congo (his born nation) in the African Nations Cup. The new FIFA rule for this cases would give him the right to represent Congo because he never played for the A team of Portugal (only in U21).But Makukula rejected the proposal because he wants to play in the portuguese team and still have the dream to play in Euro2004.

interesting. I don't know much about this player except that some of the portoguese members were complaining about his play in the under21s


tell, does this kid even have the slighest of luck in making the national squad for the european cup?


btw, any time you snub your fatherland in that manner, you should feel little bit ashamed of yourself, even if you're seeking european exposure...it's just not right, man

he's having an outstanding season in Valladolid but never impressed in the U21 team. i don't believe that Scolari will call him to the euro but maybe to the WC campaign.

how about naw

Originally posted by Punkt
he's having an outstanding season in Valladolid but never impressed in the U21 team. i don't believe that Scolari will call him to the euro but maybe to the WC campaign.

Can you tell me more about his Valladolid displays?? Is he a starter there? And when you say he's having an outstanding season what do you mean?

I'm asking that 'coz rarely I've seen this player games at club level and I want to know how valuable he could turn out to be for the Portuguese Nat. Side.....

Makulula is doig well so far.
He has scored 8 goals with Valladolid, which is not bad at all.

Here you have his stats (in spanish).

http://marcawas.recoletos.es/servlet/com.recoletos.marca.estadisticasligafutbol.Control ador?opcion=8&codJugador=4416&codEquipo=21&temporada=2003-04&jornada=20&competicion=1&grupo=0

well, Makakula moved to Portugal at a very young age, so even though he was born in the Congo, he essentially grew up Portuguese...so I don't really consider it turning his back on his homeland or anything like that..

As far as his play...nah, not my kind of player. I don't like players with limited technical ability.