Viní Jr invites Sudanese boy who lost both legs to Spain

Real Madrid forward, Vinícius Júnior, has invited a 13-year-old boy from Sudan named Zaher. Zaher lost both legs in a drone strike during the ongoing war in Sudan. He will travel to Spain to watch a football match with Vinícius.

According to the BBC on Wednesday, Vinícius sent the invitation through a personal video. He encouraged Zaher to stay strong and keep chasing his dreams.

Zaher was injured in a drone strike in 2024. He was trapped with his mother in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan. Since then, he has had surgery and rehabilitation in Cairo, Egypt, where he received prosthetic legs.

His story caught the attention of many people. Journalists reported how Zaher lost his legs while selling lentils with his mother, Habibah, during the conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

After the attack, Zaher found it hard to move around. He could only play football on his knees, which put him at risk of more injuries and infections. At that time, he said he wanted prosthetic legs so he could play football with his friends again.

Zaher's situation led to an international fundraising campaign. Dena Latif, a lawyer from the UK with Sudanese roots, led this campaign. They raised £45,000 to help with his medical care.

The money helped Zaher move to Cairo, where he had more surgery, months of physiotherapy, and psychological support. After nearly a year of treatment, Zaher can now walk with his prosthetic legs and kick a football.

Recently, Zaher met with journalists in Cairo. They showed him a video message from Vinícius, his favorite 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 praised Zaher’s strength. He encouraged him to make the best use of his new 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.

Vinícius then invited Zaher 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.

Zaher was very happy with the invitation. He briefly left the room and returned wearing a new Vinícius Júnior football shirt. He said, "Tell Vinícius, I love him. His message has really uplifted me."

Zaher’s mother, Habibah, also shared her gratitude for the support. She feels that people around the world are cheering for her son's recovery. "I feel like the whole world is cheering Zaher on, wanting him to succeed," she said.

Dr Bintelmuna Eltayeb, one of Zaher’s doctors, said the teenager has changed a lot, both physically and emotionally. She remembered that he was once shy and unhappy but slowly gained his confidence through treatment.

Besides football, Zaher is interested in horse riding and cycling. He dreams of becoming an airline pilot. But his mother is worried about his future, especially his education and safety as Sudan still deals with the war's effects.

UNICEF reports that over 17 million children in Sudan need humanitarian help. Thousands have died or been hurt since the war began in 2023. While the Sudanese army has taken back Khartoum, the city is still damaged and unsafe.

Zaher and his mother have returned to Khartoum. They hope he can get regular medical check-ups and adjustments to his prosthetic legs as he grows. His recovery shows hope amid Sudan’s humanitarian crisis, while millions of children still face displacement, hunger, violence, and lack of basic services.