Vinícius Jr invites Sudanese boy with new prosthetic legs to Madrid match

Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior has sent a personal video message to Zaher, a 13-year-old Sudanese boy who lost both legs in a drone strike and has since learned to walk using prosthetic limbs. The footballer also invited the young fan to attend a Madrid match and spend the day with him, according to the BBC.

The message followed a BBC report in which Zaher described his admiration for the Brazilian player and his wish to walk and play football again. Viewers responded to his story with an appeal that helped fund treatment outside Sudan, turning those hopes into a course of surgery and rehabilitation.

Zaher lost his legs in a drone strike in Khartoum in 2024. His mother, Habibah, was with him when the attack happened, according to reporting by the BBC and the EFE news agency. His injuries left him facing both the loss of his mobility and the emotional consequences of the attack.

When the BBC first met him, Zaher was moving through the damaged Sudanese capital in a wheelchair and playing football on his knees. He named Vinícius as his favourite player. The broadcaster subsequently passed his story to the Real Madrid star, who recorded a message of support.

Zaher watched the video in Cairo, where he had travelled with his mother for medical care. Vinícius began with a greeting in Arabic before acknowledging the difficulties the boy had endured. He encouraged Zaher to use his new prosthetic legs, return to football and find happiness, then offered the invitation to a match.

The boy responded by leaving the room and returning in a Vinícius football shirt, the BBC reported. He said the message had lifted his spirits and expressed his affection for the player. The exchange connected his recovery with the sport he had continued trying to play after losing his legs.

Treatment in Cairo involved further surgery, followed by months of physiotherapy and training with his prosthetic limbs. Zaher also received psychological support to help him process his experiences. His rehabilitation has enabled him to walk and kick a ball again, bringing a tangible change to daily life.

His story also reflects the lasting consequences of Sudan’s war for children who survive serious injuries. Fighting between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces began in 2023. For Zaher, the BBC’s follow-up documents how support extended beyond the initial operation to sustained physical and emotional rehabilitation.

The invitation to Madrid remains a hope rather than a confirmed trip. According to the BBC, Zaher wants to obtain a visa so he can accept the offer. For now, the footballer’s message accompanies a recovery that has already brought him back to walking and playing with a ball.