Burkina Faso international footballer Ben Aziz Zagre has tragically passed away at the age of 27, just over a year after being diagnosed with bone cancer. The defender, who was forced to retire from professional football in 2025, died on Sunday, June 7, following a courageous battle with the disease.
A Career Cut Short
Zagre, who earned a single cap for Burkina Faso, played for several clubs across Europe, including Danish side Esbjerg, Portuguese club Vitória Sport Clube, Kazakhstan's Kaisar, and FC Shinnik Yaroslavl in Russia. He was diagnosed with bone cancer in his knee while playing in Russia, which ultimately ended his career.
According to reports from Russian publication Match TV, Zagre underwent chemotherapy in 2025, which extended his life by a year. He also had leg surgery in Europe in April 2026, during which both his legs were amputated in an attempt to prolong his life.
Agent's Tribute
Zagre's agent, Dmitry Selyuk, spoke to Match TV, expressing his grief and recounting the efforts to save the player's life. "We tried everything we could to help Ben; he underwent chemotherapy. He lasted a year, but thank God he at least made it home and died surrounded by his loved ones. It could have gone so far that Zagre simply wouldn't have made it to Burkina Faso," Selyuk said.
He added: "I feel incredibly sorry for Ben. He was always smiling. If you ask anyone at Shinnik, they'll tell you he was always a kind person. Firstly, he was a good footballer and would have achieved much greater success; he would definitely have played in the Russian Premier League. But, unfortunately, what happened, happened."
Selyuk also criticised Russian doctors who initially told Zagre that "everything was fine" and that he did not have cancer. "But then he went to the Malysheva Center, and she referred us to the bone center. The doctor there immediately told us Zagre had cancer. Afterwards, I took him to Germany and Portugal, where he underwent chemotherapy—it extended his life by a year. His legs were amputated, but it didn't help," he revealed.
Tributes from Clubs and National Team
The Burkina Faso national team confirmed Zagre's passing and paid tribute to the defender. A minute of silence was observed before their match against Belarus on June 9. The federation's statement read: "It is with deep dismay that the federation Burkinabè Football Club has learned of the death of Burkinabè international, Ben Aziz Zagre, at the age of 27 due to an illness. Burkina Faso loses a young talent snatched from the affection of its people at the prime of their age."
His former club Esbjerg also paid tribute, posting on social media: "It is with great sorrow that we have been informed that our former defender Ben Aziz Zagre, at the age of only 27, is no longer among us. Honoured be the memory of Ben Aziz Zagre."
Vitória Sport Clube issued a statement expressing their sorrow: "Vitória Sport Clube expresses its deepest sorrow over the passing of Ben Zagrè. With thanks for the service rendered, we recall Ben Zagrè's humble and hardworking demeanour and extend our solidarity to his family and friends in this moment of profound sadness. Farewell forever, Conquistador."
Zagre's legacy as a dedicated and kind-hearted player will be remembered by all who knew him.
