Dango Ouattara interview: Brentford forward on facing Lionel Messi and his journey from Burkina Faso
Updated 23/04/2026 at 17:20 GMT+1
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From starting his career in his native Burkina Faso to lighting up the Premier League with Brentford, it has certainly been quite the journey for Dango Ouattara.
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The latest chapter almost included a dramatic stoppage-time winner for The Bees in the derby against Fulham on Saturday, but he was denied by goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
It took a stunning save - one that TNT Sports pundit Ally McCoist described as "world-class" - to prevent Ouattara from being the hero once more for Brentford in his debut campaign with the club.
The 24-year-old joined The Bees for a club-record transfer fee from Bournemouth in the summer and has contributed with six goals and six assists so far in all competitions.
Speaking exclusively to TNT Sports in his native French, the forward explains that he has been welcomed with open arms at the club and not given the fee a second thought.
"I didn’t put pressure on myself," he said. "I had the support of all the staff. My team-mates helped me settle in well, so that made things easier for me. So I don’t feel any pressure.
"I feel well received by everyone. Everything is going well. It’s pretty much the whole team that welcomed me well."
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It should come as little surprise that Ouattara has managed to quickly adapt to life in West London.
The forward was one of many arrivals to the club this summer, with former Liverpool players Jordan Henderson and Caoimhin Kelleher also thriving in their debut campaigns.
Director of football Phil Giles recently sat down with TNT Sports and this particular insight might reveal why Ouattara was so keen to join the club.
"It starts with the scouting team and they work very hard, they're very diligent and put us in a position to try and get in front of players to sell Brentford as an opportunity," Giles explains.
"I think the way we play is a more offensive style, even from the Championship days. We try and score goals, we try and get players in the box and create opportunities. I think that's attractive to players that want to come here and play."
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'That trio remains something exceptional'
Becoming the record signing for a Premier League side at the age of 23 is impressive enough, but Ouattara's journey shows how dedicated he was to reaching the top.
It all started in Ouagadougou, the capital city of Burkino Faso, where Ouattara first plied his trade with Majestic FC.
He spent five years in the club's academy before finally becoming a first-team player and, after just a year, he was given the opportunity to play in Europe with Ligue 1 side Lorient.
"I spent a year with the reserve team [at Lorient] and then turned professional," he explains.
"I was going back and forth between the first team and the reserves and, in my second season, I established myself permanently with the first team. From then on, I got playing time, and I was decisive."
After earning his spot, Ouattara was now playing regularly in the French league and he came across the electrifying Paris Saint-Germain trio at the time of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe on more than one occasion.
What was it like to compete against the famous forward line?
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Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi of Paris Saint-Germain looks on during the UEFA Champions League group H match between Paris Saint-Germain and Maccabi Haifa FC at Parc des Princes on October 25, 2022 in Paris, France.
Image credit: Getty Images
"Playing against those players when you’re young, it’s a pleasure," he explains. "It’s great to face them. Just playing against PSG is one thing and on top of that, having opponents like that, it’s great.
"It’s another level. It shows that we still have work to do. We have to keep working to at least try to get closer to their level.
"They’re exceptional players. We tried to give our best in those matches and also to learn from it."
When asked whether he had come across players of that ilk during his time in England, Ouattara said: "It’s difficult to compare to that trio.
"But I’ve also played against some top strikers. But that trio remains something exceptional, with what they’ve achieved in football and what they’re still achieving.
"I played against [Erling] Haaland, who in his first season scored a lot of goals and everything. They’re different profiles, so it’s hard to compare them."
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Haaland is still terrorising Premier League defences and recently scored the winning goals for Manchester City against Arsenal and Burnley to take his tally to 24 league goals.
But one man who has his sights set on Haaland and a certain goalscoring record is Ouattara's club team-mate Igor Thiago.
After missing the majority of his first season at Brentford with injuries, the Brazilian striker has been in outstanding form this term and is only three goals behind Haaland in the race for the Premier League Golden Boot.
"I get along well with him," he says when asked about Thiago's output this season. "On matchdays, I'm right next to him and he's calm.
"He's a guy who puts the team on his shoulders, he gives his all and fights for the cause. He's having a great season and he deserves all the plaudits. And especially what he brings off the ball, he works so hard. We're all happy for him."
'He takes care of everyone'
Following his two-year stint in France, Ouattara was signed by Bournemouth where he became a first-team regular after overcoming injury issues at the start of his spell.
Ouattara played under Andoni Iraola for two years at the club and gave an insight into his coaching methods, with the Spaniard confirming his departure from Bournemouth at the end of the campaign.
"As a coach, he's someone who always wants to win and who enjoys facing top teams," he explains.
"Whether it's against a top 5 team or a bottom half team, he doesn't change his style of play. He gave me a lot of playing time. I played practically everywhere, in different positions, under him, and that's a real plus for me."
The winger was also full of praise for his current boss, Keith Andrews, who has made a seamless transition from set-piece coach to head coach with the club fighting for European spots this season.
Ouattara says: "He's always there for the players. He takes care of everyone.
"And on the field, he's someone who imposes his style of play. This season, we've managed to win quite a few matches against the top teams. He has his own style that allows us to have a successful season."
'The whole continent stops'
Away from club football, Ouattara has also represented his country at the highest level.
He has been involved in the last three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments with Burkina Faso - most recently at the 2026 edition where they were eliminated by Côte d'Ivoire in the last 16 stage.
Ouattara's face immediately lights up when asked what AFCON means to him.
"AFCON is one of the biggest competitions in the world," he explains. "It unites all the best nations in Africa. It brings practically everyone together.
"Whenever it’s time for AFCON, everyone is watching the matches. The whole continent stops and focuses on the tournament.
"For me, it's great because it allows me to face different styles of play, different players and different coaches. It's exceptional to take part in AFCON."
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Ouattara also paid tribute to Egypt and Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah, who will leave Anfield at the end of the season.
"First of all, you have to congratulate him for the career he’s had at Liverpool," he said. "He’s pretty much a reference for almost all African players.
"He’s done exceptional things. He keeps going, he keeps giving his best and continues to be decisive.
"You can only admire him. We’ll try to take a few things from his game, things that can help us improve. He’s a fantastic player."
Ouattara is just one of many African players who grace the Premier League on a weekly basis and Brentford have acquired a player who has a lot more to offer in his career, but he could not be happier with his debut campaign at the club.
"I’d say this season is one of the good ones," he says with a smile.
"I have enjoyed more playing time, I’ve thankfully been spared from injuries, and I’ve been able to express myself.
"I’ve also managed to be decisive for the team. So this year is one of the best so far."
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