By Milcah Tanimu
Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior has discovered his ancestral ties to the Tikar tribe in Cameroon after a DNA test by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) in collaboration with AfricanAncestry.com.
On November 19, 2024, the CBF revealed the test results during a ceremony at Fonte Nova. Vinícius received a certificate confirming his heritage, accompanied by his father, Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira, and CBF President Ednaldo Rodrigues, just before Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Uruguay.
This initiative is part of the CBF’s ‘Roots of Gold’ campaign, which celebrates the Afro-Brazilian community’s contributions to football.
CBF President Rodrigues stressed the campaign’s broader message: “Celebrating Vini Jr. means celebrating all Brazilians. By learning about his origins, we reaffirm our commitment to an inclusive society. We recognize the essential role of Afro-Brazilian culture in shaping our identity and success in global football.”
Gina Paige, founder of AfricanAncestry.com, discussed the importance of reconnecting people of African descent with their roots. “Vini Jr. carries a deep desire to honor his heritage. Like many African descendants, his ancestral story has been erased by racism and slavery. Our DNA test revealed that Vini Jr.’s ancestors came from the Tikar tribe in Cameroon. His reconnection to these roots represents a powerful act of resistance, aligning with his advocacy for social justice on and off the pitch.”
Vinícius’ father expressed his joy at the discovery, saying, “It’s important to know where we come from. Many Brazilians don’t know their heritage, so we’re happy to learn we have ties to Cameroon.”
The ceremony aired on the stadium’s giant screens, and the crowd applauded. To honor his newfound heritage, Vinícius wore a special jersey featuring the flags of Brazil and Cameroon during the match, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
