Benie Traore ready to make his mark with NYCFC after globetrotting journey

If there’s one thing that New York City FC forward Bénie Traoré has gotten used to during his soccer career, it’s moving. 

At 23 years old, the Ivory Coast international has already played for Swedish club Häcken, Sheffield United when it was in the Premier League, French side Nantes and Basel in Switzerland. Now he’s made his way to the Big Apple as NYCFC’s newest designated player during the World Cup break in June. 

While Traoré has already traversed the globe during his young soccer career, he does like to keep a little taste of home with him. 

Benie Traore of Ivory Coast looks on during the international friendly match between Scotland and Ivory Coast at Hill Dickinson Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Liverpool, England. Getty Images

“I like the food from my country and I already found it in New York, that’s a good one,” Traoré said during a sit-down interview that included The Post at NYCFC’s offices in Manhattan. 

But if anyone thinks Traoré is here to sightsee around the city, they would be sorely mistaken. The forward said he hadn’t explored much of the city yet — the club took him to the observation deck at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt on Monday as part of a promotional shoot — and Traoré described himself as someone who doesn’t “go out a lot.” 

“I just want to be around my people, play my football and go home,” he said. 

Traoré will get plenty of chances to play his game as New York City FC enters a particularly crowded part of the schedule. The club will play in a pair of Leagues Cup matches Thursday against Santos Laguna and Sunday against Cruz Azul, and then another Aug. 13 before returning to MLS regular-season play later that week. 

Traoré has already appeared in all three of NYCFC’s matches since the World Cup break ended, though he has yet to score a goal. The Ivorian insisted that first goal for his new club is “coming soon,” and sporting director Todd Dunivant seemed to like what he’s seen thus far from the recent acquisition. 

Bénie Traoré #9 of the New York City Football Club reacts before the first half against the Chicago Fire FC at Yankee Stadium on July 25, 2026 in New York, New York. Getty Images

“He can bring not just goals, but he can also provide assists, he’s got good vision, he’s a playmaker. Again, we haven’t seen the best of him yet, but you’ve seen some moments of brilliance from him,” Dunivant said, while mentioning the club had tried to bring Traoré in during the winter transfer window. “I think we’re really excited about Bénie and continuing to get him ramped up. Pascal’s done a really good job of managing him in this early phase so that he’s set up for success, which ultimately is about the long term for us.” 

Traoré has some long-term goals of his own with New York City FC, which was part of the draw to the MLS club. 

NYCFC is in its 11th season, meaning that there is ample opportunity to make his way into the history books for the club. 

“I wanted to be part of a project like this in my career. I had the opportunity to do it and I jumped on it,” he said.