Sibrail Makrikis: A New Hope for Egyptian Football
In the latest developments within the world of football, Sibrail Makrikis, a right-back currently shining at Hungary's Ferencváros, has emerged as a notable candidate for the Egyptian national team. Coach Hossam Hassan is eager to bolster his squad with players of Egyptian descent, often referred to as "migratory birds," and Makrikis is at the top of this list. Following Hassan's successful inclusion of winger Haitham Hassan from Real Oviedo into the national setup, the focus now shifts to Makrikis, especially after previous attempts to recruit him were thwarted by documentation issues regarding his Egyptian nationality.
Makrikis boasts a diverse background, holding multiple nationalities; he has Latvian citizenship through his mother, Turkish citizenship through his father, and German citizenship from his mother's side. Additionally, he has Egyptian and Moroccan roots through his grandparents, positioning him uniquely to represent either Egypt or Morocco on the international stage. Reports from Morocco indicate that Makrikis has expressed a desire to play for the Atlas Lions, especially following their impressive performance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, adding a layer of complexity to his future international commitments.
Career Journey and Performance
Makrikis began his football journey in the youth ranks of Bayer Leverkusen in Germany, before embarking on a loan spell with Borussia Mönchengladbach during the 2017-2018 season. He later returned to Leverkusen but made a significant move in 2019 to Bonner SC, subsequently joining Borussia Dortmund's second team between 2020 and 2022, where he played 27 matches and scored once. His career took a further step in January 2022 when he joined Viktoria Berlin in the German third division, and later ventured abroad to the Bulgarian club Pirin Blagoevgrad during the summer of 2022, where he made 24 appearances and netted another goal.
The highlight of Makrikis's career came in July 2023 when he signed with Ferencváros. Since then, he has made a remarkable impact, participating in 130 matches, scoring four goals, and assisting 12 others, while securing the Hungarian league title twice. This season alone, he has played 33 matches across all competitions, contributing with two goals and several assists in both the Hungarian league and European fixtures. His total playing time has reached an impressive 2,570 minutes, showcasing his importance to the team. Furthermore, Makrikis has represented Latvia at the U19 level, making seven appearances and scoring once, with his current market value estimated at around €1.2 million.
As negotiations continue between the Egyptian Football Association and Makrikis, all eyes are on this potential transfer that could see a player with extensive experience join the ranks of the Egyptian national team, a move that could rejuvenate the squad and provide fresh talent in the upcoming international fixtures.
As reported by eremnews.com.
