Vinícius Júnior, the star forward for Real Madrid, has uncovered his ancestral roots to the Tikar tribe in Cameroon following a DNA test facilitated by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) in partnership with AfricanAncestry.com.
The results of the test were revealed on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, during a special ceremony at Fonte Nova. Vinícius was presented with a certificate confirming his heritage in the presence of his father, Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira, and the CBF president, Ednaldo Rodrigues. The unveiling took place just ahead of Brazil’s World Cup qualifier match against Uruguay.
The initiative is part of the CBF’s ‘Roots of Gold’ campaign, which celebrates the history and pride of the Afro-Brazilian community, particularly in football.
Speaking at the event, Rodrigues emphasized 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, recognizing the fundamental role of Afro-Brazilian culture in our identity and our success in global football.”
The founder and president of AfricanAncestry.com, Gina Paige, highlighted the importance of reconnecting individuals of African descent 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.
Reacting to 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 Vinícius received his certificate was broadcast on the stadium’s giant screens, drawing applause from the crowd.
To honour his newfound roots, Vinícius donned a special jersey featuring the flags of Brazil and Cameroon during the match, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
