Vinicius Junior invites a Sudanese amputee to a Real Madrid match

Vinicius Junior invited Zaher, a thirteen‑year‑old Sudanese boy who lost both legs in a drone strike, to attend a Real Madrid match. The Brazilian also sent him a video message in which he hopes he will be able to play football again.

Vinicius asked, “Which team do you support?” Zaher, who lost his legs in Khartoum two years ago, immediately replied, “Real Madrid.” His favourite player is Vinicius, like many young Casa Blanca fans who have seen him shine in the Champions League.

In order to undergo surgery, the young Sudanese boy traveled to Cairo, the capital of Egypt. He thus dreams of being able to play football again and of meeting his idol.

The video message and the invitation to Madrid

One year after the BBC report aired in 2025, the twenty‑six‑year‑old player sent a video in which he says, “I heard your story… I know how difficult these past months have been for you.” In this message, he describes the boy as a hardworking Black man, encourages him to make the most of his prosthetics and to play again, adding, “You deserve it.”

Vinicius even invited him to come to Madrid to attend a Real Madrid match and spend the day together. Zaher, now wearing the merengue jersey, replied, “Tell him I love him and that his message gave me comfort.”

Zaher’s story sparked a wave of global support. A fundraiser launched after the loss of his legs raised close to $60,000. He hopes to obtain a visa and visit his hero one day.