Vinicius Junior invites Sudanese boy who lost his legs in war to Madrid match
A personal message from his favourite footballer has encouraged 13-year-old Zaher after surgery and rehabilitation helped him walk again with prosthetic legs.
By Hiroshi Ferrari ·
Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior has invited a Sudanese boy who lost both legs in a drone strike to attend a Madrid match and spend a day with him. Zaher, 13, received the recorded message in Cairo, where surgery, prosthetic legs and months of rehabilitation had enabled him to walk and kick a football again.
The Brazilian player opened with an Arabic greeting before offering encouragement and the invitation. Zaher watched intently, then briefly left the room and returned wearing a Vinicius Jr shirt. He hopes to obtain a visa so he can take up the offer. “His message has really uplifted me,” he said. BBC journalists had contacted the footballer after Zaher named him as his favourite player during their first meeting in 2025.
Zaher was injured in Khartoum in 2024 while selling lentils alongside his mother, Habibah. Fighting between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces had left them trapped, with supplies dwindling and too little money to escape. A drone struck as they worked one morning, leaving Zaher bleeding heavily. He subsequently lost both legs.
When the BBC met him last year, Zaher used a wheelchair to move through a neighbourhood littered with wrecked vehicles and damaged homes. Football had been a favourite pastime before the war, but after his injury he could play only on his knees, causing pain and exposing him to serious infection. Specialist care was difficult to obtain in Sudan.
The report prompted international support. Dena Latif, a UK-based lawyer of Sudanese origin, helped lead an online campaign that raised £45,000 ($60,000) towards his treatment. Arranging travel took months because Zaher and his mother lacked passports and their birth certificates had been destroyed. They eventually flew to Cairo, where accommodation, food and medical appointments were ready for them.
During almost a year in the Egyptian capital, Zaher received further surgery, physiotherapy and training with his prosthetic legs. Psychological support also helped him address his trauma. Dr Bintelmuna Eltayeb, who was involved in his treatment, described a marked change from sadness and withdrawal to laughter and confidence. Zaher now wants to try cycling and horse riding, and hopes to become an airline pilot. At the Cairo reunion, he had yet to play a football match but was looking forward to joining friends back home.
Zaher and Habibah have since returned to Khartoum, having missed their relatives, friends and home. With the city currently more stable, they hope he can have his prosthetic legs checked and adjusted locally as he grows. Habibah remains concerned about his education, future and reception in Sudan.
The army has regained control of Khartoum and the city's state of emergency has been lifted, but widespread destruction and security concerns remain. A recent statement by the United States and 30 other Western states said 41% of Sudan's population faced high levels of food insecurity and warned of possible famine.
Since the conflict began in 2023, millions of children have had their lives disrupted. Unicef says more than 17 million need humanitarian assistance and has verified at least 4,300 children killed or maimed, while believing the actual toll is much higher. Latif hopes Zaher's recovery will encourage greater attention and funding for other Sudanese children with life-changing injuries.
