Vinícius Júnior Sends Video Message To War-Injured Boy In Cairo

Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior recorded a personal video message for Zaher, a 13-year-old Sudanese boy who lost both legs in a drone strike during Sudan's civil war, according to BBC News, which filmed the moment the boy watched it in Cairo.

How Did Zaher Lose His Legs In Sudan's War?

Zaher was hit by a drone strike in 2024 while he and his mother, Habibah, were trapped in Khartoum, the BBC reported. The amputation came amid fighting between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a conflict that began in 2023. BBC senior international investigations correspondent Nawal Al-Maghafi first met Zaher a year earlier, describing him then as "a small quiet child, scarred by war," with little access to specialist treatment and a stated wish to walk and play football again.

What Does Vinícius Júnior Say In His Message?

In the recorded message, delivered in Arabic, the Brazilian forward opens: "Zaher, mahaba" — hello, Zaher — before telling the boy, "I was made aware of your story. I know how difficult the last few months must have been for you," according to the BBC's translation of the video.

"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."

Vinícius, who has become a prominent voice against racism in football, closes the message with an invitation: "I would like to invite you to attend a Madrid match. We can spend the day together," the BBC reported. Zaher left the room after watching the clip and returned wearing a Vinícius Júnior jersey, telling the crew, "Tell Vinícius, I love him. His message has really uplifted me."

How Many Children Has Sudan's War Injured Or Killed?

The United Nations children's agency, Unicef, says more than 17 million children in Sudan now need humanitarian assistance because of the conflict, the BBC reported. Unicef says it has verified that at least 4,300 children have been killed or maimed since fighting began, while cautioning that the true figure is likely far higher. Zaher is described in the BBC's reporting as one of millions of children whose lives have been upended by the war between the army and the RSF.

What Treatment Has Zaher Received In Cairo?

Zaher has lived in Cairo for nearly a year, where he underwent surgery and months of rehabilitation, according to the BBC. He is now walking and kicking a ball on two new prosthetic legs. The outlet described him as "confident, cheeky and full of smiles" during the follow-up visit — a marked change from the withdrawn boy reporters met in the ruins of Khartoum roughly a year earlier. His mother, Habibah, told the BBC she feels "like the whole world is cheering Zaher on, wanting him to succeed."

Will Zaher Meet Vinícius Júnior In Person?

The BBC reported that Zaher hopes to secure a visa so he can accept the footballer's invitation to attend a Real Madrid match in person. No date or venue for such a visit had been set at the time of the BBC's report, and the outlet did not say whether Real Madrid or Vinícius Júnior had committed to specific logistics beyond the recorded offer.

A Brief Timeline

• 2023: Fighting breaks out between Sudan's army and the Rapid Support Forces.
• 2024: Zaher loses both legs in a drone strike while trapped with his mother in Khartoum.
• 2025: BBC first meets Zaher in Khartoum; he says Vinícius Júnior is his favorite footballer and that he dreams of walking again.
• Roughly a year later (2026): Zaher, now based in Cairo, has undergone surgery and rehabilitation and is walking on prosthetic legs when he receives Vinícius Júnior's recorded message.

The BBC's reporting does not specify which organizations funded or arranged Zaher's surgery and prosthetics in Cairo, nor does it detail Unicef's role, if any, in his individual case. The agency's national-level figures on children killed, maimed, or in need of aid are cited separately from Zaher's personal account.