Sports
Vinicius Jr Discovers Cameroonian Roots Through DNA Test
A DNA test has revealed that Vinicius Jr., the Brazilian and Real Madrid star, has ancestral roots tracing back to Cameroon.
The test, conducted by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) in collaboration with AfricanAncestry.com, was unveiled on November 19, 2024, at Fonte Nova Stadium. It confirmed that Vinicius Jr. is descended from the Tikar tribe, one of Cameroon’s prominent ethnic groups.
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To commemorate the discovery, the CBF presented Vinicius with a certificate recognizing his Cameroonian heritage, accompanied by a video celebrating the Tikar tribe’s legacy and cultural contributions.
This initiative is part of the CBF’s “Roots of Gold” campaign, which aims to honour the rich history and pride of the Afro-Brazilian community, particularly its influence on football.
Reflecting on the revelation, Vinicius shared, “Discovering that my roots are in Cameroon is a very special moment for me and my family.
“It reminds me that, despite the challenges, our origins and our history count for a lot.”
Gina Paige, founder and president of AfricanAncestry.com, emphasized the importance of reconnecting people of African descent with their ancestral roots, highlighting the transformative power of heritage discovery.
“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.
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“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 said.
In honour of his ancestry, Vinicius Jr. wore a special jersey featuring the flags of Brazil and Cameroon for the match against Uruguay, which ended in a 1-1 draw, with the winger playing the entire 90 minutes.
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