Vinícius Jr sends video message to Sudanese boy who received prosthetic legs after BBC report
Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior sent a personal video message to 13-year-old Zaher in Cairo after a BBC report prompted an online appeal, the BBC reported on 11 November 2026. In the clip Vinícius addresses Zaher in Arabic and invites him to attend a Real Madrid match.
Zaher lost both his legs in 2024 in a drone strike while he and his mother were trapped in Khartoum and had little access to specialist treatment, the BBC reported. The broadcaster said more than 17 million children in Sudan are now in need of humanitarian assistance and that Unicef has been able to verify at least 4,300 children have been killed or maimed. Reporters first met Zaher in the ruins of Khartoum in 2025 when he was described as small and quiet; the BBC returned to Cairo more than a year later to find him walking on new prosthetic legs.
The video begins with Vinícius speaking directly to the boy in Arabic: "Zaher, mahaba" - Hello Zaher. The Real Madrid player tells him: "I was made aware of your story. I know how difficult the last few months must have been for you," then says: "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 concludes with: "I would like to invite you to attend a Madrid match. We can spend the day together."
On seeing the message, Zaher left the room briefly and returned wearing a Vinícius Jr football shirt; he told the BBC: "Tell Vinícius, I love him," and added, "His message has really uplifted me." His mother, Habibah, said she feels "like the whole world is cheering Zaher on, wanting him to succeed."
The BBC report prompted support from people around the world, including Dena Latif, described as a UK-based lawyer of Sudanese origin, who helped lead an online campaign that raised £45,000 ($60,000) for Zaher's medical care. Unable to be treated in Sudan, Zaher and his mother travelled to Cairo after months of planning despite having no passports and with their birth certificates destroyed; an apartment was prepared for them there with food in the fridge and medical appointments arranged.
In Cairo Zaher underwent further surgery and months of physiotherapy and received psychological support, according to those involved. Dr Bintelmuna Eltayeb, one of his doctors, said: "He was shy, a little bit depressed, sad," and added, "To get a smile out of him was almost impossible, but now you can see he's laughing. He has great confidence in himself." The BBC said Zaher has not yet played a game of football but is looking forward to doing so and has expressed ambitions including horse riding, cycling and wanting to become an airline pilot.
The report noted Khartoum has extensive damage with many buildings burned, blackened and looted and said a state of emergency has been lifted with the Sudanese army back in control there. It also cited a statement from the US and 30 other Western states that 41% of Sudan's population are experiencing high levels of food insecurity and warned of "potential famine." Dena said: "I hope that Zaher's story doesn't end with him."
Zaher and his mother are now back in Khartoum and hope that, as the city is more stable at the moment, he will be able to get his prosthetic legs checked and adjusted there as he grows.
