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 conflict, to Spain to watch a football match with him.
The Brazilian international extended the invitation through a personal video message shared with the teenager during a recent reunion with journalists in Cairo, Egypt, where he received treatment and rehabilitation.
Zaher was injured in a drone strike in 2024 while selling lentils with his mother, Habibah, in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, amid fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Following the incident, he underwent several surgeries and months of physiotherapy and psychological support in Cairo, after an international fundraising campaign raised £45,000 to support his treatment. The campaign was organised by Dena Latif, a UK-based lawyer of Sudanese origin.
After almost a year of rehabilitation, Zaher received prosthetic legs and has regained the ability to walk and kick a football. Before his treatment, he could only play football on his knees, putting himself at risk of further injuries and infections.
In his video message, Vinícius said he had followed Zaher’s story and acknowledged the difficulties he had faced during his recovery.
The 25-year-old footballer praised the teenager’s resilience and encouraged him to make the most of his prosthetic legs, return to playing football and continue pursuing his dreams.
“I would like to invite you to attend a Madrid match. We can spend the day together,” Vinícius said.
Zaher, who was visibly emotional after watching the message, later returned to the room wearing a new Vinícius Júnior football shirt. He expressed excitement over the invitation, saying, “Tell Vinícius, I love him. His message has really uplifted me.”
His mother also thanked those who had supported her son’s recovery, saying she felt people around the world were rooting for him. One of his doctors, Dr Bintelmuna Eltayeb, said Zaher had made remarkable physical and emotional progress, gradually regaining his confidence after initially becoming withdrawn.
Beyond football, Zaher has developed an interest in horse riding and cycling and hopes to become an airline pilot. He and his mother have returned to Khartoum, where he hopes to continue receiving medical checks and adjustments to his prosthetic legs as he grows.
His recovery comes against the backdrop of Sudan’s humanitarian crisis, which has left millions of children in need of assistance. UNICEF estimates that more than 17 million children in the country require humanitarian support following the conflict that began in 2023.
