Born in the capital city, Bouda grew up like many other children, playing football with friends and dreaming of a future in the sport. His life took a pivotal turn when he attended a trial organised by Right to Dream, which would ultimately change the course of his life.
Bouda had school on the day of the trials and as a result showed up late but that didn’t stop him from standing out. He impressed among older kids not just on the pitch but also for cognitive tests and in two weeks he was on the bus to Ghana to join the Right to Dream academy.
Bouda's move to Right to Dream Academy in Ghana at just 11 years was not without its challenges. His mother initially resisted the idea due to her strong belief in education and her concerns about his future.
However, after learning about Right to Dream’s commitment to providing quality education alongside football training, she eventually supported his decision.
“My mom is a big believer in education and she wanted to make sure I was getting a quality education. Once she found out Right to Dream took the education seriously, she was willing to let me move to Ghana at such a young age,” Bouda explained in an interview with Flashscore.
Transitioning from Burkina Faso to Ghana presented its own set of hurdles for Bouda. He arrived with no knowledge of English and had to adapt quickly to a new culture.
“Ghana is very different from Burkina Faso. I spoke only French and other local languages in Burkina Faso. Within three months, I was fluent in English due to quality education I received.”
During his time at Right to Dream Academy, Bouda trained alongside several talented players who have since made their mark in professional football. He shared dorms with future stars like Mohammed Kudus, Abu Francis, Mohammed Diomande and Ibrahim Sadiq, creating lasting friendships that fuelled their collective ambitions.
Unlike the aforementioned, the Burkinabe chartered a different path as he moved to the USA at 15 years. Bouda’s hard work paid off when he received a scholarship at Millbrook School.
This opportunity opened doors for him in football in the USA while allowing him to continue his education. In his four years at Millbrook, he became a fan favourite and was chosen as captain.
“In my first couple of years, where I won the Gatorade National Player of the Year, which is an award given to the best high school soccer player in the US. It was time where I grew a lot, time where academically as a player and as a person, made a lot of friends, and it set the tone for me before I moved to Stanford.”
The decision to move to Stanford wasn’t as straightforward as the Right to Dream graduate had numerous colleges knocking at his door, especially after winning the Gatorade National Player of the Year.
Winning that award was a big deal as he joined an alumni of previous winners including superstars like Peyton Manning, Emmitt Smith, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Allyson Felix, and Kerri Walsh.
In the end, Bouda chose Stanford University and received a scholarship to study International Relations which is a mix of economics, political science, and history.
In the 2021 season, he led Stanford with nine assists and five goals, and was named in the United Soccer Coaches All-Region first team and the All-Pac-12 first team. Just a year later, Bouda was announced as one of the eight members of the 2022 Generation Adidas.
This meant that the Burkinabe was eligible for early entry in the MLS SuperDraft and was chosen by the San Jose Earthquakes as their first and the eighth overall selection.
Bouda was still in his third year and hadn’t completed college so had to juggle the complexities of playing professional alongside the final year of Stanford.
“San Jose Earthquakes is in California and about 25 minutes away from Stanford. So it allowed me to keep going back to take classes. It was a dream come true. I've always wanted to be a professional soccer player, and I took a different route by getting my education first.”
“I'm enjoying playing in the MLS. It's a league that's growing and it's a pleasure for me to be one of the many African players that are here in the MLS,” he added.
His transition into the MLS was seamless due to his preparation at Stanford, where he experienced a competitive college environment akin to professional football.
Bouda’s journey has also led him back home as he proudly represents Burkina Faso on the national team. He recalled how deeply football resonates within his country:
“Football is everything in Burkina Faso. Just recently I went back home and it was insane for me to see how much people really care about it. It's the small details and how the mood of the country is dictated by the results of the national team.
"We've been going through some political struggles especially in the north of the country. We even spoke to the president and he let us know that our results matter to those soldiers out there fighting. So that's a real motivation for us to try to do well and score goals and win games and then make the country proud.”
Having played for Burkina Faso’s U20 team in 2019, it was only a matter of time before Bouda got a chance with the senior team. The 24-year-old was closely followed by the Burkina Faso federation as his career developed.
Aristide Bance, a former player for Burkina Faso, is nowadays in charge of finding players with dual citizenships across the world who can play for the Stallions. Bancé called Bouda in early 2022 and also spoke to San Jose Earthquakes concerning a debut call-up to the Burkina Faso senior team.
“When I first got the call up, it was a real honor because it's always been a dream for me to play with Burkina Faso. My mom and dad were the first people that I called to let them know. Then I called my agent. It was a real blessing, a moment that I'll never forget.”
Bouda made his debut for Burkina Faso in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier match away to Eswatini in 2022. The San Jose Earthquakes forward had to wait for two years to score his first international goal which came against Libya in a friendly.
His first competitive goal with the Stallions came just months later in a 1-1 draw with Senegal in the opener of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers. A 95th-minute equaliser from Bouda that set the tone for Burkina Faso who booked a ticket for the continental showpiece in Morocco.
“For me the AFCON is in a year. So I would have one full season in the MLS. I really hope to have a great season and continue to get call ups because between now and then we have World Cup qualifiers. So the hope is to be able to contribute to the success of the team during that time.
“People expect us to win the AFCON. They expect us to get far but they expect us to win it as well. I think it was in 2013 when we got to the final and lost to Nigeria. But since then the expectation is for us to get better and bring a star,” Bouda said beaming with confidence.
One of the key players in that remarkable run to the AFCON final in 2013 was Jonathan Pitroipa. He was adjudged as player of the tournament despite losing to Nigeria and went to make over 80 appearances for the Stallions.
His famous number 11 shirt is now worn by Bouda who says: “I wore number 11 in the national team because Pitroipa wore the number 11 and I want to carry his legacy.”
Recently, the Stanford graduate returned to Right to Dream for their 25th anniversary. He addressed the current crop and is hopeful a lot more footballers will aspire add education while playing.
“I hope that more footballers take care of their education because there’s a lot of free time on footballers' hands. I do think that more education in the soccer world, would be beneficial to the players because there are opportunities for footballers to impact more lives.”
As Bouda continues his ascent in professional football, his story serves as an inspiration for aspiring athletes across Africa.
His journey reflects not only personal triumph but also the broader impact of initiatives like Right to Dream that empower young talents through education and sport.
With each match he plays for San Jose Earthquakes and Burkina Faso, Bouda is not just chasing personal success; he is also carrying the hopes of many who dream of following in his footsteps one day.
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