Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior has uncovered his ancestral ties to the Tikar tribe in Cameroon through a DNA test conducted by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) in partnership with AfricanAncestry.com.
The results were revealed on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, during a ceremony at Fonte Nova. Vinícius was awarded a certificate confirming his heritage.
According to Foot Boom, the certificate was presented to Vinícius alongside his father, Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira, and CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues, just before Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Uruguay.
The initiative is part of the CBF’s ‘Roots of Gold’ campaign, celebrating the rich history and pride of the Afro-Brazilian community, particularly in football.
At the event, Rodrigues highlighted the significance of the initiative, saying, “To celebrate Vini Jr. is to celebrate the success of all Brazilians. By understanding his origins, we reaffirm our commitment to an inclusive society and recognise the vital role of Afro-Brazilian culture in shaping our identity and our achievements in global football.”
Gina Paige, founder and president of AfricanAncestry.com, emphasised the importance of reconnecting individuals of African descent with their heritage. She noted, “Vini Jr. carries the desire to honour his roots. However, like many of African descent, his ancestral story has been obscured by racism and the legacy of slavery. Through a DNA test, we discovered that Vini Jr.’s ancestors are from the Tikar tribe in Cameroon.”
The moment Vinícius received his certificate was displayed on the stadium’s giant screens, earning applause from the crowd. To honour his newly discovered heritage, he wore a special jersey featuring the flags of Brazil and Cameroon during the match, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
