Vinícius Júnior, the well-known Real Madrid winger, has reached out personally to Zaher, a young Sudanese boy who recently received prosthetic legs after losing his own in a drone strike. The football star sent a heartfelt video message to Zaher, who is now residing in Cairo, Egypt. This gesture came after a BBC report shed light on Zaher's situation, leading to a global appeal for help.
Zaher, just 13 years old and originally from Khartoum, Sudan, was deeply affected by the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that began in 2023. This violence has put millions of children in dire need of humanitarian aid, with at least 4,300 confirmed killed or maimed. Zaher lost both his legs in the conflict.
In 2024, Zaher and his mother, Habibah, found themselves trapped in the war-ravaged city, trying to survive by selling lentils on the streets. A devastating drone strike changed everything, leaving Zaher critically injured. With medical care hard to come by in Sudan, Zaher held onto the dream of walking and playing football once more.
The BBC's coverage of Zaher's story resonated globally, sparking a fundraising campaign led by Dena Latif, a UK-based lawyer with Sudanese roots. The campaign successfully gathered £45,000 ($60,000) for Zaher's medical treatment, enabling him to travel to Cairo for surgery and rehabilitation.
In Cairo, Zaher underwent surgery, was fitted with prosthetic legs, and engaged in months of physiotherapy. He also received psychological support to help him deal with the trauma he had endured. Dr. Bintelmuna Eltayeb, one of Zaher's doctors, observed a dramatic change in him, noting that he had transformed from being shy and sad to confident and full of smiles.
During a recent visit, Zaher watched a video message from Vinícius Júnior, who spoke to him directly in Arabic. The Brazilian footballer acknowledged Zaher's struggles and encouraged him to make the most of his new prosthetic legs. Vinícius also invited Zaher to attend a Real Madrid match and spend a day with him.
Overwhelmed by the gesture, Zaher expressed his admiration for Vinícius, feeling uplifted by the message. His mother, Habibah, shared her happiness, feeling as though the world was supporting her son.
Despite Zaher's progress, his future remains uncertain. The family has returned to Khartoum, where the Sudanese army has regained control, yet the city remains unstable. Security concerns and food insecurity persist, with 41% of Sudan's population facing high levels of food insecurity, according to a statement from the US and 30 other Western states.
Dena Latif hopes Zaher's story continues to draw attention and resources to the thousands of other Sudanese children who have suffered similar injuries. Back in Khartoum, Zaher looks forward to playing football with his friends and dreams of becoming an airline pilot.
While Zaher has been given a chance to reclaim his childhood, millions of other Sudanese children still await similar opportunities. The hope is that Zaher's journey will inspire further support for those who continue to suffer in the shadows of conflict.
