Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior sent a personal video message of support to a 13-year-old Sudanese boy named Zaher, who lost both of his legs in a drone strike during the conflict in Sudan. In the video, the Brazilian footballer addressed Zaher directly in Arabic, saying, "Zaher, mahaba" - Hello Zaher.
Vinícius, who has become a prominent voice against racism in football, told the boy, "I was made aware of your story. I know how difficult the last few months must have been for you. 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." The footballer also invited Zaher to attend a Madrid match, stating, "I would like to invite you to attend a Madrid match. We can spend the day together."
Zaher, who was first met by reporters in the ruins of Khartoum a year ago, is now living in Cairo. He underwent surgery and months of rehabilitation in Egypt, allowing him to walk and kick a ball again on two new prosthetic legs. Zaher expressed that the message "really uplifted" him and stated he hopes to one day obtain a visa to accept the invitation.
The boy lost his legs in 2024 while trapped in Khartoum with his mother, Habibah, as the city was torn apart by fighting between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The family was selling lentils on the streets to survive when a drone struck. Habibah recalled the moment, saying, "I looked at him and he was bleeding. There was blood everywhere." She noted that Zaher would later wake up and ask, "Why did you let them cut off my legs?"
While in Khartoum, Zaher was forced to play football on his knees, a process that risked serious infection. His story eventually led to an online campaign spearheaded by UK-based lawyer Dena Latif, which raised £45,000 ($60,000) for his medical care. Because the family lacked passports and their birth certificates were destroyed by the war, they spent months planning a move to Cairo.
Dr Bintelmuna Eltayeb, one of the doctors involved in Zaher's care, noted that the boy was initially shy and depressed, but has since gained great confidence. Zaher now aims to become an airline pilot and enjoys activities like horse riding and cycling.
Zaher and his mother have since returned to Khartoum. While the state of emergency has been lifted and the Sudanese army has regained control of the city, the capital remains destroyed and looted. According to a statement from the US and 30 other Western states, 41% of Sudan's population faces high levels of food insecurity, with warnings of "potential famine." Dena Latif expressed hope that Zaher's recovery will draw more attention to the thousands of other Sudanese children suffering life-altering injuries.
