Before the disappointing 1-1 draw against Uruguay this Wednesday in Salvador, Brazil took a break to pay tribute to Vinícius Júnior. This honor was not for a Ballon d’Or that slipped through his fingers, but rather to present him with a certificate celebrating his Cameroonian heritage.
The delivery of this certificate of ancestry reveals that the Real Madrid winger’s ancestors came from Cameroon, specifically from the Tikar ethnic group. This initiative is part of the “Golden Roots” campaign led by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) in collaboration with a genetic tracking company to discover the origins of its players.
Endaldo Rodrigues, president of the Brazilian Football Federation, explained that this initiative aims to reaffirm “the commitment to the fight for an inclusive society in Brazil and in world football.” It is a timely recognition, as Vinícius Júnior continues to establish himself as one of the main ambassadors in the battle against racism around the world.
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On another note, the style of play currently displayed by Brazil could also use validation.
Morocco
