Vinícius Jr sends surprise message to Sudanese boy after drone strike

Real Madrid footballer Vinícius Júnior has reached out to a 13-year-old fan named Zaher, sending a surprise video message that has provided a moment of hope to a boy whose life was altered by conflict. While many people search for a watch to track their daily schedules, young Zaher has spent his recent months focused on the monumental task of learning to walk again. The teenager lost both of his legs during a drone strike in Khartoum, Sudan, a city deeply affected by the ongoing violence between the country's army and the Rapid Support Forces.

A journey of recovery

When the BBC first encountered Zaher in 2025, he expressed a simple but profound dream: to walk and play football once more. His story gained significant attention, leading to donations that funded his medical treatment in Cairo. This support allowed him to undergo surgery and participate in months of intensive physiotherapy and psychological care. During this difficult period, the message from the Brazilian football star served as a significant morale booster for the young survivor.

Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior sent a surprise message of support to a young Sudanese amputee survivor.

Following his treatment in Egypt, Zaher has returned to Sudan. He has described feeling uplifted by the encouragement from Vinícius Jr, who praised the boy's courage and extended a formal invitation for him to attend a Real Madrid match. This gesture of solidarity highlights the impact that global figures can have on individuals facing the most extreme hardships caused by regional instability.

Why it matters

This story highlights the human cost of the ongoing conflict in Sudan, where civil unrest continues to devastate communities and leave civilians with life-altering injuries. For young victims like Zaher, international attention and support are vital for accessing life-changing medical interventions.

The gesture from a high-profile athlete brings global awareness to the plight of children caught in war zones. It serves as a reminder of the power of compassion in providing psychological support to those recovering from traumatic injuries in conflict-ridden regions.