Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior has extended a personal invitation to Zaher, a 13-year-old Sudanese boy who lost both legs in a drone strike during Sudan’s ongoing war, to travel to Spain and watch a football match with him.
The Brazilian international delivered the invitation through a personal video message in which he urged the teenager to remain strong and keep pursuing his dreams. The gesture has been widely welcomed as a moment of warmth amid the devastation of the conflict.
A Life Changed by War
Zaher was injured in a drone strike in 2024 while trapped with his mother in Khartoum, Sudan’s capital. He lost both legs while selling lentils with his mother, Habibah, as fighting raged between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
His story drew international attention after journalists reported on his ordeal. Following the incident, Zaher struggled to move around and could only play football on his knees, which exposed him to the risk of further injuries and infections. At the time, he expressed a simple wish: to receive prosthetic legs so he could return to playing football with his friends.
Treatment and Recovery in Cairo
His story inspired an international fundraising campaign led by Dena Latif, a UK-based lawyer of Sudanese origin, which raised £45,000 to support his medical treatment. The funds helped facilitate his relocation to Cairo, Egypt, where he underwent surgery, months of physiotherapy and psychological support, and received prosthetic legs.
After almost a year of treatment, Zaher can now walk with his prosthetic legs and kick a football again. Dr Bintelmuna Eltayeb, one of the doctors involved in his care, said the teenager had undergone a remarkable transformation, both physically and emotionally. She recalled that he was initially withdrawn and unhappy but gradually regained his confidence through treatment and rehabilitation.
A Surprise Message From His Favourite Player
During a recent reunion with journalists in Cairo, Zaher was shown a video message from Vinícius, his favourite footballer. In the message, the Real Madrid star told the teenager he was aware of his story and understood how difficult the previous months must have been.
The 25-year-old praised Zaher’s resilience and encouraged him to make the most of his new prosthetic legs. He expressed hope that the teenager would return to playing football and find happiness, telling him he deserved it. Vinícius then invited Zaher to visit Spain and attend a Real Madrid match together, suggesting they could spend the day together.
Overwhelmed by the gesture, Zaher briefly left the room before returning wearing a new Vinícius Júnior football shirt. He said the message had truly uplifted him and asked that the player be told he loved him. His mother, Habibah, also expressed gratitude for the support her son had received, saying she felt as though the whole world was cheering Zaher on and willing him to succeed.
New Interests and an Uncertain Future
Beyond football, Zaher has developed an interest in activities such as horse riding and cycling, and he hopes to become an airline pilot. However, his mother remains concerned about his future, particularly his education and safety as Sudan continues to grapple with the consequences of the conflict.
According to UNICEF, more than 17 million children in Sudan require humanitarian assistance, while thousands have been killed or injured since the conflict began in 2023. Although the Sudanese army has regained control of Khartoum, extensive destruction and security concerns remain across the city.
Zaher and his mother have since returned to Khartoum, where they hope he can receive regular medical checks and adjustments to his prosthetic legs as he grows. His recovery stands as a story of hope amid Sudan’s humanitarian crisis, even as millions of children continue to face displacement, hunger, violence and limited access to essential services.
