Actual Madrid star, Vinícius Júnior, has found his ancestry hyperlinks to the Tikar tribe in Cameroon following a DNA check carried out by the Brazilian Soccer Confederation (CBF) in collaboration with AfricanAncestry.com.
The check outcomes had been unveiled on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, throughout a ceremony at Fonte Nova, the place Vinícius was introduced with a certificates confirming his heritage.
Foot Increase studies that Vinícius acquired the certificates alongside his father, Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira, and the president of the CBF, Ednaldo Rodrigues, simply earlier than Brazil’s World Cup qualifier in opposition to Uruguay.
The initiative is a part of the CBF’s ‘Roots of Gold’ marketing campaign, which celebrates the historical past and satisfaction of the Afro-Brazilian group, significantly in soccer.
Talking on the occasion, Rodrigues emphasised the broader significance of the initiative, stating, “To rejoice Vini Jr. is to rejoice the success of all Brazilians. By realizing his origins, we reaffirm our dedication to an inclusive society, recognising the basic function of Afro-Brazilian tradition in our identification and our success in international soccer.”
The founder and president of AfricanAncestry.com, Gina Paige, highlighted the significance of reconnecting people of African descent with their roots.
“Vini Jr. carries inside him the need to honour his heritage. Nevertheless, like many people of African descent, his ancestral story has been erased by racism and the legacy of slavery. By a DNA check, we found that Vini Jr.’s ancestors belong to the Tikar tribe in Cameroon.
“We imagine that Vini’s reconnection along with his African roots is a strong ‘act of resistance,’ consistent with his advocacy for social justice each on and off the soccer pitch,” Web page said.
Reacting to the invention, Vinícius’ father expressed pleasure, saying, “It’s vital for us to know the place we come from. Many Brazilians don’t know their ancestry or heritage. I’m glad we’re from Cameroon too.”
The second Vinícius acquired his certificates was broadcast on the stadium’s large screens, drawing applause from the gang.
To honour his newfound roots, Vinícius donned a particular jersey that includes the flags of Brazil and Cameroon in the course of the match, which ended in a 1-1 draw.