Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior sent a personalized video message to 13-year-old Zaher, a double amputee from Sudan, after learning about his story through BBC coverage.
Zaher was struck by a drone attack in Khartoum during the ongoing civil war between Sudan’s military forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in 2024. The incident left him with both legs amputated; at the time, he could only play football on his knees, risking serious infection.
The War Context
Since 2023, over 17 million children across Sudan have been affected by humanitarian crises according to Unicef. The organization has verified that at least 4,300 children have died or suffered severe injuries — though it believes the actual number is significantly higher. Much of Khartoum became a battleground during this period, with food and basic supplies severely limited.
Zaher’s family had no means to flee when fighting intensified. They sold lentils on the streets for survival. His mother Habibah recalled seeing him after the attack: "He would wake up and ask: 'Why did you let them cut off my legs?' I couldn't answer."
Medical Journey in Cairo
Unable to access specialized medical care in Sudan due to conflict-related disruptions, Zaher fled to Egypt. He and his mother lacked valid passports or birth certificates — documents destroyed during wartime violence.
In Cairo, they were placed in an apartment with basic supplies arranged by humanitarian support networks. After months of planning, Zaher underwent further surgery followed by intensive physiotherapy and psychological counseling under doctors such as Dr Bintelmuna Eltayeb.
Dr Eltayeb described Zaher’s initial state: "He was shy, a little bit depressed, sad... To get a smile out of him was almost impossible." Now, he is confident, active, and engaged in new activities including horse riding and cycling. He has expressed interest in becoming an airline pilot.
Vinícius Júnior's Message
In the video message sent via BBC relay, Vinícius Júnior addresses Zaher directly in Arabic: 'Zaher, mahaba' — Hello Zaher. The Brazilian footballer acknowledges the trauma of war and says: '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.'
He then invites Zaher to attend a Real Madrid match, offering time together as companionship.
Zaher responded by wearing a Vinícius Jr football shirt after receiving the message. He told reporters: "Tell Vinícius, I love him." His mother Habibah said she felt "like the whole world is cheering Zaher on, wanting him to succeed".
Limited Scope of Support
The story gained global attention following its initial BBC report in 2025. Dena Latif, a UK-based lawyer of Sudanese origin, helped launch an online campaign that raised £45,000 ($60,000) for Zaher’s medical care — though no official confirmation has been issued about how this funding was used or whether it directly supported his treatment.
As of now, Zaher has not attended any Real Madrid match and does not have the necessary visa to travel to Spain. He remains hopeful but acknowledges logistical barriers. His dream is still one of playing football with friends back home — something he says he hasn’t yet achieved.
The BBC report confirms only what was shared by Zaher, Habibah, doctors involved in his rehabilitation, and Dena Latif. No independent verification exists regarding the origin or content of Vinícius Júnior’s message beyond its transmission through the media outlet.