Real Madrid superstar Vinícius Júnior has warmed hearts after inviting a 13-year-old Sudanese boy, Zaher, who lost both legs in a drone strike, to Spain to watch a football match with him.
The Brazilian footballer extended the emotional invitation through a personal video message after learning about the teenager’s tragic ordeal and remarkable recovery.
According to the BBC, Zaher was injured in a drone strike in 2024 while selling lentils with his mother, Habibah, in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, amid the ongoing war between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The attack left him without both legs, forcing him to abandon his normal activities and struggle to move around.
Despite his injuries, Zaher remained passionate about football and initially played with his friends on his knees, exposing himself to further injuries and infections.
His heartbreaking story attracted international attention and sparked a fundraising campaign led by Dena Latif, a UK-based lawyer of Sudanese origin.
The campaign raised £45,000 to support his medical treatment, rehabilitation and relocation to Cairo, Egypt.
In Cairo, Zaher underwent further surgery, months of physiotherapy and psychological support before receiving prosthetic legs.
After almost a year of treatment, the teenager can now walk again and kick a football.
His inspiring recovery recently attracted the attention of Vinícius, who is reportedly his favourite footballer.
During a reunion with journalists in Cairo, Zaher was shown a video message from the Real Madrid star, who praised his courage and encouraged him not to give up on his dreams.
Vinícius told him that he had heard about his ordeal and understood how difficult the past months must have been.
The 25-year-old also encouraged him to make good use of his prosthetic legs, return to playing football and find happiness.
In a heartwarming moment, the Brazilian invited Zaher to Spain to watch a Real Madrid match together.
“I would like to invite you to attend a Madrid match. We can spend the day together,” he told the excited teenager.
Overwhelmed by the gesture, Zaher briefly left the room before returning in a new Vinícius Júnior football shirt.
“Tell Vinícius, I love him. His message has really uplifted me,” he said.
His mother, Habibah, also expressed gratitude for the support her son had received, saying she felt people across the world were rooting for his recovery.
One of the doctors involved in his treatment, Dr Bintelmuna Eltayeb, described his transformation as remarkable, both physically and emotionally.
She recalled that Zaher was initially withdrawn and unhappy but gradually regained his confidence through treatment and rehabilitation.
Beyond football, the teenager has developed interests in horse riding and cycling and now hopes to become an airline pilot.
However, his mother remains worried about his future, particularly his education and safety, as Sudan continues to battle the devastating consequences of the conflict.
According to UNICEF, more than 17 million children in Sudan require humanitarian assistance, with thousands killed or injured since the war began in 2023.
Although the Sudanese army has regained control of Khartoum, widespread destruction and security concerns remain.
Zaher and his mother have since returned to the city, where he hopes to receive regular medical checks and adjustments to his prosthetic legs as he grows.
His story has become a remarkable tale of resilience and hope amid Sudan’s devastating humanitarian crisis.
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