# Vinícius Júnior Sends Heartfelt Message to Sudanese War Victim Zaher A young Sudanese boy who lost his legs in war receives a surprise invitation. - **Source:** [BBC News – Africa](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/africa) - **Published:** 2026-11-11 - **Topic:** [world](https://brifing.si/c/world) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/d668600e-0010-4bbd-bf52-babecf5882a5 ## A Surprise Connection Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior sent a personal video message to 13-year-old Zaher, a Sudanese boy who lost both legs in a 2024 drone strike. The footballer addressed the boy directly in Arabic, offering words of encouragement and inviting him to attend a future Real Madrid match in person together. ## The Impact of Conflict Zaher is one of millions of children affected by Sudan's civil war, which began in 2023 between the army and the Rapid Support Forces. UNICEF reports that at least 4,300 children have been killed or maimed, though the actual number of victims is likely much higher due to the ongoing instability. ## From Trauma to Recovery After losing his legs in a drone strike while selling lentils in Khartoum, Zaher faced a long road to recovery. A UK-based lawyer, Dena Latif, spearheaded a campaign that raised £45,000 to fund his medical care, allowing Zaher and his mother to relocate to Cairo for surgery and extensive rehabilitation. ## Psychological Transformation Beyond physical healing, Zaher underwent months of physiotherapy and psychological support to process his trauma. Doctors note that his transformation has been profound, shifting from a shy, withdrawn child to a confident individual who now laughs, jokes, and dreams of becoming an airline pilot despite the hardships he previously endured. ## Global Solidarity Efforts The support for Zaher highlights the power of international awareness in addressing individual humanitarian crises. While his story resonated globally, millions of other Sudanese children remain in need of assistance. Advocates hope that Zaher’s recovery will draw continued attention and funding to the thousands of other children suffering similar injuries. ## Current Security Context Although the Sudanese army has regained control in Khartoum, the city remains heavily damaged with many buildings looted or destroyed. Security concerns persist, and international observers warn that 41% of the population faces severe food insecurity, with significant risks of famine looming over the country as the humanitarian crisis continues. ## Returning Home Zaher and his mother have returned to Khartoum, seeking the comfort of their home and community despite the ongoing challenges. They hope the current relative stability will allow Zaher to receive necessary adjustments for his prosthetic legs as he grows, while they navigate the complexities of life in a war-torn city. ## A Symbol of Hope Zaher’s journey from the rubble of Khartoum to his new life represents a rare success story amidst widespread devastation. While he looks forward to playing football again with his friends, his experience serves as a stark reminder of the millions of children still waiting for their own chance to reclaim their childhoods. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqm26mmpp2p1o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._