Real Madrid forward, Vinícius Júnior, has invited a 13-year-old Sudanese boy, Zaher, who lost both legs in a drone strike during Sudan’s ongoing war, to Spain to watch a football match with him.
As reported by the BBC on Wednesday, the Brazilian international extended the invitation through a personal video message in which he encouraged the teenager to remain strong and continue pursuing his dreams.
Zaher, who was injured in a drone strike in 2024 while trapped with his mother in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, has since undergone surgery and rehabilitation in Cairo, Egypt, where he received prosthetic legs.
The teenager’s story attracted international attention after journalists reported how he lost both legs while selling lentils with his mother, Habibah, amid the conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Following the incident, Zaher struggled to move around and could only play football on his knees, exposing himself to the risk of further injuries and infections.
At the time, he expressed his desire to receive prosthetic legs so he could return to playing football with his friends.
His story subsequently 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, where he underwent further surgery, months of physiotherapy and psychological support.
After almost a year of treatment, Zaher can now walk with his prosthetic legs and kick a football again.
During a recent reunion with journalists in Cairo, the teenager was shown a video message from Vinícius, his favourite footballer.
“I was made aware of your story. I know how difficult the last few months must have been for you,” the Real Madrid star said.
The 25-year-old footballer praised Zaher’s resilience and encouraged him to make the most of his new prosthetic legs.
“You are a hard-working black man. I really hope you will make good use of your new prosthetic legs, that you return to playing football and that you find happiness. You deserve it,” Vinícius said.
The Brazilian then extended an invitation to the teenager to visit Spain and attend a Real Madrid match together.
“I would like to invite you to attend a Madrid match. We can spend the day together,” he added.
Overwhelmed by the gesture, Zaher briefly left the room before returning wearing a new Vinícius Júnior football shirt.
Expressing his excitement, he said: “Tell Vinícius, I love him. His message has really uplifted me.”
His mother, Habibah, also expressed appreciation for the support her son had received, saying she felt people around the world were rooting for his recovery.
“I feel like the whole world is cheering Zaher on, wanting him to succeed,” she said.
Dr Bintelmuna Eltayeb, one of the doctors involved in Zaher’s treatment, said the teenager had undergone a remarkable transformation, both physically and emotionally.
She recalled that he was initially withdrawn and unhappy but had gradually regained his confidence through treatment and rehabilitation.
Beyond football, Zaher has developed an interest in activities such as horse riding and cycling and hopes to become an airline pilot.
However, his mother remains concerned about his future, particularly his education and safety as Sudan continues to face 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 represents 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.