Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior has uncovered his ancestral roots, tracing his lineage to the Tikar tribe of Cameroon.
The discovery was made through a DNA test conducted as part of the Brazilian Football Confederation’s, CBF, “Roots of Gold” campaign in partnership with AfricanAncestry.com.
The results were disclosed on Tuesday, November 19, during a special ceremony at Fonte Nova, where Vinícius was presented with a certificate confirming his heritage. The event took place just before Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Uruguay, with Vinícius joined by his father, Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira, and CBF president, Ednaldo Rodrigues.
Rodrigues underscored the cultural significance of the campaign, stating: “To celebrate Vini Jr. is to celebrate the success of all Brazilians. By knowing his origins, we reaffirm our commitment to an inclusive society, recognising the fundamental role of Afro-Brazilian culture in our identity and success in global football.”
READ ALSO : UEFA picks Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior as player of the season
The initiative highlights the history and contributions of Afro-Brazilian communities to football and Brazilian society. Speaking at the event, Gina Paige, founder of AfricanAncestry.com, lauded the importance of reconnecting individuals of African descent with their roots.
Vinícius expressed pride in learning about his heritage, calling it an opportunity to deepen his connection with Africa and honor his ancestors.
Vinícius is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward for La Liga club Real Madrid and the Brazil national team. Considered one of the best players in the world, he is known for his pace and dribbling ability.
Born in São Gonçalo, Vinícius began his professional career at Flamengo, where he made his senior debut in 2017, at age 16. A few weeks later, Vinícius was the subject of a transfer to La Liga club Real Madrid, for whom he signed in a £38 million deal, which was a national record for an U-18 player.
The transfer was made effective after his 18th birthday, with Vinícius debuting for the club in 2018–19. Over the following seasons, Vinícius established himself as a prominent member in Real Madrid’s squad, helping the club win two La Liga–Champions League doubles, scoring the winning goal in the 2022 and 2024 finals, being named the tournament’s Player of the Season in 2024.
At his youth stage for Brazil, Vinícius was a key player in the victory at the 2015 South American U-15 Championship and 2017 South American U-17 Championship, finishing as leading goal scorer in the latter competition. He made his senior debut in 2021 and helped his nation to a runner-up finish at the 2021 Copa América, also representing Brazil at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the 2024 Copa América in the United States.
Credible News.ng
