Vinicius Jr Invites Sudanese Boy Zaher to Madrid Match
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior has invited 13-year-old Sudanese boy Zaher, who lost both legs in a 2024 drone strike, to attend a Madrid match and spend the day with him. The invitation came in a video message that the BBC shared on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, according to Türkiye Today. https://www.turkiyetoday.com/sports/vinicius-jr-invites-sudanese-boy-who-lost-legs-to-madrid-match-3232243
What Vinicius Said
Vinicius sent a personal video message after a BBC report on Zaher, in which the boy said Vinicius was his favourite player and that he hoped to meet him one day, according to Türkiye Today. The BBC contacted the player through Real Madrid. In an earlier interview, Zaher said he dreams of playing football again, according to Türkiye Today.
In the message, Vinicius said he knew how difficult the last few months had been for Zaher and hoped he would make good use of his new prosthetic legs, return to football and find happiness. “I would like to invite you to attend a Madrid match,” he said, adding that they could spend the day together.
The BBC, quoted by Adomonline, said Vinicius greeted Zaher in Arabic. Africa Soccer said the invitation includes meeting the player at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid’s home stadium.
Zaher’s Reaction
The BBC, quoted by Adomonline, said Zaher watched the message in Cairo and, overwhelmed, got up and left the room. Gazette NG reported that he returned wearing a Vinicius shirt and said he hoped to get a visa to attend the match.
Yardbarker reported that after watching, Zaher said, “Tell Vinicius that I love him,” and that the message lifted his spirits.
His mother, Habibah, said the message uplifted her, adding that she feels “like the whole world is cheering Zaher on,” according to the BBC via Adomonline. The BBC said Zaher, once shy and withdrawn, is now standing tall on two new prosthetic legs.
Zaher’s Story
Zaher lost both legs in a drone attack in Khartoum in 2024 during Sudan’s civil war, which began in 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, according to Africa Soccer and Türkiye Today. Before the war, Zaher loved football, according to the BBC.
With limited access to specialist care in Sudan, he moved to Cairo, where he had further surgery, months of physiotherapy and psychological support, and learned to use prosthetic legs and kick a football again, according to Africa Soccer, the BBC and Türkiye Today.
After the BBC’s report, British lawyer Dana Latif of Sudanese origin helped organise an online fundraiser for his treatment, according to UA.News.
What Happens Next
Zaher and his mother have since returned to Khartoum, according to Türkiye Today. He hopes to get a visa to travel to Spain and accept the invitation.
No date for the match has been announced, and Real Madrid had not commented publicly in the reports reviewed. Joydey9ja.com will update this report if more details emerge.
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