Vinícius Júnior Invites Sudanese Boy Who Lost Both Legs in Drone Strike to Real Madrid Match

Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior has extended a heartwarming invitation to a 13-year-old Sudanese boy who lost both legs in a drone strike, offering him the opportunity to watch a football match together in Spain.

The Brazilian football star reached out to Zaher through a personal video message, praising his courage and resilience after learning about his ordeal during Sudan’s ongoing conflict. The message was delivered during the teenager’s recent reunion with journalists in Cairo, Egypt, as reported by the BBC on Wednesday.

Zaher was injured in a drone strike in 2024 while selling lentils with his mother, Habibah, in Khartoum, Sudan’s capital. The attack occurred amid fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), leaving the teenager without both legs.

Following the incident, Zaher struggled with mobility and could only play football on his knees, putting himself at risk of further injuries and infections. He had expressed a strong desire to receive prosthetic legs so he could return to playing football with his friends.

His story attracted international attention and inspired a fundraising campaign organised by Dena Latif, a UK-based lawyer of Sudanese origin. The campaign raised £45,000 to support his medical treatment and rehabilitation, enabling his relocation to Cairo for further surgery, physiotherapy and psychological support.

After nearly a year of treatment, Zaher can now walk with prosthetic legs and kick a football again. During his meeting with journalists, he was shown a video message from Vinícius, who told him he understood how difficult his recovery journey must have been.

The 25-year-old footballer encouraged the teenager to remain positive and make the most of his new prosthetic legs, while expressing his hope that he would return to playing football and find happiness. He subsequently invited Zaher to Spain to attend a Real Madrid match and spend time together.

Overwhelmed by the gesture, Zaher briefly left the room before returning in a new Vinícius Júnior shirt. He expressed his excitement, saying, “Tell Vinícius, I love him. His message has really uplifted me.” His mother also thanked those who had supported her son, saying she felt the world was cheering him on.

Zaher’s doctors described his recovery as remarkable, noting significant improvements in his physical condition and confidence. Beyond football, he has developed an interest in horse riding and cycling and hopes to become an airline pilot. However, concerns remain about his education, healthcare and safety as Sudan continues to grapple with the consequences of war. UNICEF estimates that more than 17 million children in the country need humanitarian assistance, highlighting the scale of the crisis facing young people like Zaher