Vinícius Jr sends a surprise message to Zaher, the Sudanese boy who lost his legs in the war, and invites him to Madrid
Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior has recorded a personal video message for Zaher, a 13-year-old Sudanese boy who lost both legs in a 2024 drone strike in Khartoum and has learned to walk again on prosthetic legs in Cairo. In the message, played to Zaher by the BBC, Vinícius told him he hoped he would return to playing football and find happiness, and invited him to attend a Real Madrid match together. Zaher said the message had really uplifted him and that he hopes to get a visa to accept.
Verified
Zaher, 13, lost both legs in a drone strike in Khartoum in 2024, when he and his mother, Habibah, were trapped in the city during the fighting between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces; they had been selling lentils on the street to get by. Both of his legs were amputated.
Key points
- Zaher, 13, lost both legs in a 2024 drone strike in Khartoum; a £45,000 appeal paid for treatment that has him walking on prosthetic legs in Cairo.
- Vinícius Júnior, the player Zaher named as his favourite in 2025, recorded a message telling him to return to football and find happiness.
- Vinícius invited Zaher to attend a Real Madrid match and spend the day together; Zaher hopes to get a visa to accept.
What happened
Zaher is one of millions of Sudanese children whose lives have been upended since the army and the Rapid Support Forces began fighting in 2023. The BBC met him first among the ruins of Khartoum, where he played football on his knees, and followed his treatment in Cairo, where doctors and physiotherapists have worked with him for months on his new legs.
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Match facts — all verified
- ✓ VerifiedZaher, 13, lost both legs in a drone strike in Khartoum in 2024, when he and his mother, Habibah, were trapped in the city during the fighting between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces; they had been selling lentils on the street to get by. Both of his legs were amputated.BBC News — Real Madrid's Vinícius Jr sends surprise message to boy who lost his legs in Sudan's war (11 Nov 2026) · QNC News — Vinicius Jr invites Sudanese boy on new legs to Madrid match (11 Nov 2026)
- ✓ VerifiedThe BBC first met Zaher in 2025, moving around in a wheelchair and playing football on his knees. He said his favourite footballer was Vinícius Júnior and that he wished for prosthetic legs so he could play with his friends again. After the BBC's report, a fundraising campaign led by Dena Latif, a UK-based lawyer of Sudanese origin, raised £45,000 (about $60,000) for his medical care.BBC News — Real Madrid's Vinícius Jr sends surprise message to boy who lost his legs in Sudan's war (11 Nov 2026)
- ✓ VerifiedAfter nearly a year of operations and rehabilitation in Cairo, Zaher has been fitted with prosthetic legs, walks on them and can kick a ball again.BBC News — Real Madrid's Vinícius Jr sends surprise message to boy who lost his legs in Sudan's war (11 Nov 2026) · QNC News — Vinicius Jr invites Sudanese boy on new legs to Madrid match (11 Nov 2026)
- ✓ VerifiedVinícius Júnior recorded a video message for Zaher, opening with a greeting in Arabic. He said he had been made aware of the boy's story and knew how difficult the last few months must have been, told him "You are a hard-working black man", and said: "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." He then invited Zaher to attend a Real Madrid match: "We can spend the day together."BBC News — Real Madrid's Vinícius Jr sends surprise message to boy who lost his legs in Sudan's war (11 Nov 2026)
- ✓ VerifiedZaher said the message had really uplifted him — "Tell Vinícius, I love him" — and that he hopes to obtain a visa so he can accept the invitation to Madrid.BBC News — Real Madrid's Vinícius Jr sends surprise message to boy who lost his legs in Sudan's war (11 Nov 2026) · QNC News — Vinicius Jr invites Sudanese boy on new legs to Madrid match (11 Nov 2026)
What we know / what we don't know yet
What we know
- Vinícius sent the message and the Madrid invitation, in his own recorded words.
- Zaher walks on prosthetic legs after treatment in Cairo, funded by a £45,000 appeal.
What we don't know yet
- Whether and when Zaher will get a visa and be able to travel to Madrid to accept the invitation.