A DNA test has revealed that Brazil and Real Madrid star winger Vinicius Jr’s ancestors are from Cameroon.
This was disclosed on Tuesday during the warm-up before Brazil’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Uruguay which ended 1-1.
A certificate formalising Vinicius Jr’s Cameroonian origins was presented, along with a video recounting the history of his Tikar ancestors, an emblematic tribe in Cameroon.
Vinicius’ father and the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) president Ednaldo Rodrigues were present during the presentation of the certificate.
This revelation was made possible thanks to a partnership with AfricanAncestry.com.
It is an initiative of the Brazilian Football Confederation aimed at reconnecting Seleção players with their roots.
Speaking about his roots Vinicius said: “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.”
This initiative, called Golden Roots, was designed to fill the void left by the historical erasure of the African origins of many descendants of slaves.
Founder of AfricanAncestry.com, Gina Paige emphasised the importance of this initiative.
“Vini Jr. traces his roots back to the Tikar tribe in Cameroon. This discovery is a powerful act of resistance in the face of racism and the legacy of slavery.”
CBF President Ednaldo Rodrigues said the impact of the initiative is far beyond the sporting context.
“By celebrating Vini Jr. we are celebrating all Brazilians. This reflects our commitment to an inclusive society and highlights the crucial contribution of Afro-Brazilian culture to our identity.”
