Vinícius Júnior is not only Brazilian. On the sidelines of the match between Brazil and Uruguay, on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday, the Real Madrid striker received a certificate of ancestry, revealing that his ancestors come from Cameroon, more specifically from the Tikar ethnic group.
This initiative is part of the “Raizes de Ouro”, a campaign led by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) with a genetic tracing company to determine the origins of its players.
Vinícius Júnior received the document in the company of his father and president of the CBF, Endaldo Rodrigues. The leader explained that this act aimed to promote “commitment to the fight for an inclusive society in Brazil and in world football. Celebrating Vinicius Junior is celebrating 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 success in global football,” he said.
“Vini Jr. carries within him the desire to honor his roots. However, his ancestral history has been erased by racism and the legacy of slavery. Through a DNA test, we discovered that they are from the Tikar tribe in Cameroon. We are honored to reveal his and his family’s African roots, celebrating their tenacity and greatness despite adversity,” added Gina Paige, Founder and President of AfricanAncestry.com.
