Brazilian star Vinícius Júnior has discovered his ancestry links to the Tikar tribe in Cameroon following a DNA test conducted by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) in collaboration with AfricanAncestry.com.
Vinícius received a certificate certifying his heritage during a ceremony at Fonte Nova on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, after the test findings were revealed.
According to Foot Boom, Vinícius received the certificate with his father, Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira, and the president of the CBF, Ednaldo Rodrigues, before Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Uruguay.
The effort is part of the CBF’s ‘Roots of Gold’ campaign, which highlights the history and pride of the Afro-Brazilian population, notably in football.
Speaking at the event, Rodrigues emphasised the broader significance of the initiative, stating, “To celebrate Vini Jr. is to celebrate the success of all Brazilians. By knowing his origins, we reaffirm our commitment to an inclusive society, recognising the fundamental role of Afro-Brazilian culture in our identity and our success in global football.”
Gina Paige, the creator and president of AfricanAncestry.com, emphasised the necessity of reuniting people of African heritage with their roots.
“Vini Jr. carries within him the desire to honour his heritage. However, like many individuals of African descent, his ancestral story has been erased by racism and the legacy of slavery. Through a DNA test, we discovered that Vini Jr.’s ancestors belong to the Tikar tribe in Cameroon.
“We believe that Vini’s reconnection with his African roots is a powerful ‘act of resistance,’ in line with his advocacy for social justice both on and off the football pitch,” Page stated.
Speaking on the discovery, Vinícius’ father expressed joy, saying, “It’s important for us to know where we come from. Many Brazilians don’t know their ancestry or heritage. I’m happy we are from Cameroon too.”
The moment the Real Madrid star received his certificate was broadcast on the stadium’s giant screens, drawing applause from the crowd.
To honour his newly discovered roots, Vinícius donned a special jersey featuring the flags of Brazil and Cameroon during the match, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
