Turkish Soccer Player Baran Alp Vardar Dies at 20 After Cancer Battle

The young soccer prospect played for four teams over the course of his career, with three appearances in the Turkish Süper Lig during the 2023–2024 season.

Turkish supporters hold banners and wave Turkish flags to cheer on their team before the FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualification football match between Turkey and Bulgaria at the Timsah Arena stadium in Bursa on Nov. 15, 2025. Ozan Kose/AFP via Getty Images

Turkish soccer player Baran Alp Vardar, a defender for the Istanbulspor team, has died at the age of 20 following a lengthy battle with cancer.

The club announced the news of his passing on March 15, noting on social media that the promising young player had been undergoing treatment for the disease without disclosing the type of cancer he had.