Dango Ouattara: Balancing Football and Faith

"Faith Before Football": How Dango Ouattara Balances Ramadan and the Premier League

On the pitch, Dango Ouattara is a dynamic forward for Bournemouth, but beyond the goals and glory, his life is deeply anchored in his Islamic faith—especially during the holy month of Ramadan.

"For me, faith comes first. Before football, it's my religion," says the 23-year-old Burkina Faso international, speaking to the BBC from a mosque in Poole, England.

Ouattara, who prays five times daily and always makes dua (supplication) before and after matches, says his faith gives him humility and clarity.

“It helps me reflect and reconnect with God—to evaluate what I’ve done right and where I’ve gone wrong,” he explains. “It also keeps us aligned in society, offering guidance to stay on the right path.”

Describing Islam as a source of “calm” and “stability,” Ouattara is composed and soft-spoken, arriving early for the interview in a white thobe and kindly requesting a moment to pray before beginning.

“My faith helps me overcome life’s challenges, respect others, and above all, honor other people’s beliefs and decisions,” he says. “Whether on the field or with family and friends, it keeps me grounded every day. You must believe before you act.”

Finding Strength in Community

Ouattara’s confidence on the field this season has been evident. Despite not being a regular starter, he has made a major impact—netting nine goals in 30 appearances, including a memorable hat-trick against Nottingham Forest in January. It’s a stark improvement from last season’s single goal tally.

Under head coach Andoni Iraola, Ouattara says playing for Bournemouth has been a joy.

“The key to our success this season is continuity. Most of the squad and coaching staff have been together for a while, which helps a lot,” he says. “You can see how much the players enjoy themselves. We’re doing all we can to go far.”

Originally from Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, Ouattara’s football journey took him from French club Lorient to England’s south coast. He joined Bournemouth in January 2023 for $26 million, becoming only the second Burkinabé to play in the Premier League after Bertrand Traoré.

Initially, language barriers posed a challenge. Communicating and practicing his faith in a country where mosques are less prevalent than in his homeland was not easy.

"With the help of my agent, I found a mosque. That helped me reconnect with the routines I had back home,” he explains. “Being back in the mosque brought peace to my athletic routine—it felt just like being in Lorient again.”

Finding a spiritual community helped him settle in. “When you’re in a new country, being part of a faith community gives you hope. It reminds you that you're not alone.”

Navigating Ramadan as a Premier League Athlete

This year, Ramadan began on Friday, 28 February, and is expected to conclude on Sunday, 30 March. The holy month commemorates the revelation of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and for Muslims worldwide, fasting from dawn to sunset is a religious obligation.

“Ramadan isn’t that difficult—it's all in the mind,” says Ouattara. “The toughest part is not drinking water and having to wake up at night for prayers and a light meal. That’s what gets tiring.”

His secret to staying fit and focused? Rest.

“I wake up every morning at 4:30, clean up, and eat food provided by our team chef. I pray, then nap for an hour before training. After practice, I pray again and rest for another hour. Taking breaks whenever possible makes fasting manageable.”

Despite the demanding schedule, Ouattara’s commitment never wavers.

“It helps when the entire team—from players to staff—support you,” he says. “They check in on me, asking, ‘How are you? Are you okay? Is it difficult for you?’ That kind of care motivates me to keep fulfilling my religious duties.”

Though he’s the only Muslim in Bournemouth’s squad, Ouattara isn’t alone in observing Ramadan in the Premier League. Since 2021, match officials have been permitted to briefly pause games to allow fasting players to break their fast—a practice he appreciates.

“This Premier League initiative deserves praise. Playing while fasting is not easy,” he says. “I hope this continues in future seasons.”

Dango Ouattara remains a model of discipline and dedication—on and off the pitch—earning the respect of fans and teammates alike for both his footballing flair and unwavering faith.