Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior has surprised 13-year-old Sudanese boy Zaher, who lost both legs in a drone strike, with a personal video message delivered in Arabic and an invitation to attend a Real Madrid match together.
The Brazilian international sent the surprise message after learning about Zaher's story, which attracted international attention following a BBC report on his injuries and his wish to walk and play football again.
Watching from an apartment in Cairo, Egypt, where he has undergone surgery and months of rehabilitation, Zaher was visibly overwhelmed as his favourite footballer greeted him directly in Arabic, saying, "Zaher, mahaba", meaning hello Zaher.
"I was made aware of your story. I know how difficult the last few months must have been for you," Vinícius said.
The Real Madrid winger, who has become a prominent voice against racism in football, encouraged the teenager to remain determined, telling him he hoped he would make good use of his new prosthetic legs, return to playing football and find happiness.
Addressing Zaher as a hardworking Black man, Vinícius expressed his hope that the teenager would rebuild his life and enjoy the opportunities ahead of him.
The message ended with an invitation for Zaher to attend a Real Madrid match, where the two could spend the day together.
Overwhelmed by the gesture, Zaher briefly left the room before returning wearing his new Vinícius Júnior football shirt.
"Tell Vinícius, I love him. His message has really uplifted me," Zaher said, expressing hope that he would eventually secure a visa to travel to Spain and accept the invitation.
His mother, Habibah, said the support had made her feel that people around the world were cheering her son on and hoping for his success.
Zaher lost both legs in 2024 after a drone strike hit him while he and his mother were selling lentils on the streets of Khartoum, Sudan's capital, where they had been struggling to survive amid fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The family had been unable to flee the city as food and basic supplies became increasingly scarce. Following the attack, Zaher moved around in a wheelchair and could only attempt to play football on his knees, a painful process that exposed him to the risk of serious infections.
When the BBC first reported his story in 2025, Zaher expressed his wish to receive prosthetic legs so he could walk and play football with his friends again.
His story prompted an international fundraising campaign led by Dena Latif, a United Kingdom-based lawyer of Sudanese origin, who helped spearhead an online appeal that raised £45,000 (approximately $60,000) for his medical care.
Getting Zaher the treatment he needed outside Sudan presented another challenge. He and his mother had no passports, while their birth certificates had been destroyed during the war, making their journey out of the country difficult.
After months of planning, the two eventually travelled to Cairo, where accommodation, food and medical appointments had been arranged for them.
Zaher underwent further surgery, followed by months of physiotherapy and training to learn how to use his prosthetic legs. He also received psychological support to help him process the trauma of losing both legs and living through the conflict.
Dr Bintelmuna Eltayeb, one of the doctors involved in his care, said Zaher had initially been shy, withdrawn and struggling emotionally, but had since become more confident and cheerful.
He can now walk using his prosthetic legs and kick a football again. His recovery has also allowed him to explore activities such as horse riding and cycling, while he hopes to become an airline pilot in the future.
Although he has not yet played a full football game, Zaher is looking forward to reuniting with his friends and playing with them again.
His recovery comes against the backdrop of a humanitarian crisis that continues to affect millions of children in Sudan. According to UNICEF, more than 17 million children in the country require humanitarian assistance, while at least 4,300 have been verified as killed or maimed since the conflict began in 2023.
Zaher and his mother have since returned to Khartoum, where they hope he will receive regular checks and adjustments to his prosthetic legs as he grows. However, his mother remains concerned about his education and security in a country still affected by conflict.
For Zaher, the surprise message from his football hero has offered another reason to look forward to the future. Having regained the ability to walk and kick a ball, he now hopes to fulfil another dream: meeting Vinícius Júnior in Madrid.
