Former international player Alain Traore has been appointed as a special advisor to the Prime Minister's office in Burkina Faso, beginning a new chapter in his career away from the green rectangle.

The decision was made according to the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on April 16, 2026, where the former playmaker was assigned the task of «advisor in sports management and development,» benefiting from his long experience in local and international stadiums.

Traore had announced his official retirement from professional football on July 17, 2025, after a successful football career during which he left a clear mark on the history of his national team and delighted his fans inside and outside the country.

This appointment represents a clear message from the authorities in Burkina Faso about the importance of utilizing the expertise of prominent sports figures in decision-making positions, and integrating them into the national sports development system, in order to contribute to building more realistic policies that are more relevant to the needs of the sports sector.

Who is Alain Traoré?

Alain Traoré is a former international football player from Burkina Faso, born on December 31, 1988. He is considered one of the most prominent stars of his generation in the history of Burkinabe football, thanks to his skills as a playmaker and his ability to score and create opportunities.

He started his professional career early in Europe, and his name became prominent with the French club AJ Auxerre, before moving to several clubs in the French, Turkish and Qatari leagues, including Lorient, AS Monaco and Kayserispor, where he became known for his technical playing style and powerful shots from outside the penalty area.

Internationally, Traore was one of the mainstays of the Burkina Faso national team, participating in several editions of the Africa Cup of Nations, and played a prominent role in the team's achievement of reaching the final of the 2013 edition, which is the most prominent historical achievement in the record of Burkinabe football.

He announced his retirement from professional football in July 2025, before moving into administrative work, where he was appointed as a special advisor to the office of the Prime Minister of Burkina Faso in the field of sports management and development, benefiting from his long experience on and off the field.