The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) presented Vinicius Jr with a certificate attesting to his Cameroonian origins before the match against Uruguay (1-1) on Tuesday.
Vinicius (24 years old) was put in the spotlight in an unprecedented way, Tuesday before the kick-off of the match between Brazil and Uruguay (1-1), counting for qualifications for the 2026 World Cup. Seleçao striker received a certificate of ancestry, revealing that his ancestors came from Cameroon and precisely from the Tikar ethnic group. This symbolic discount is part of the “Raizes de Ouro” campaign led by the Brazilian football confederation (CBF) in collaboration with a genetic tracing company to determine the origins of its players.
An initiative for “an inclusive society”
In this context, the Real Madrid star took tests which revealed the African origins of his ancestors. The player received the document in the company of his father and president of the CBF, Endaldo Rodrigues. The leader explained that the initiative aimed to reaffirm “commitment to the fight for an inclusive society in Brazil and in world football.” “Celebrating Vini Jr. is celebrating the success of all Brazilians,” he added. “By knowing its origins, we reaffirm our commitment to an inclusive society, recognizing the fundamental role of Afro-Brazilian culture in our identity and success in world football.”
“Vini Jr. carries within him a desire to honor his roots,” added Gina Paige, founder and president of AfricanAncestry.com. “However, like that of many people of African descent, his ancestral history has been erased by racism and the legacy of slavery. Through a DNA test, we discovered that Vini Jr's ancestors are descended from Tikar tribe in Cameroon We are honored to reveal the African roots of Vini Jr. and his family, celebrating their tenacity and greatness despite adversity. African Roots is a powerful 'act of resistance', consistent with his defense of social justice on and off the football field.”
The “Raizes de Ouro” campaign was therefore highlighted during the warm-up for the match against Uruguay on the pitch at the Fonte Nova stadium. The sequence of the certificate presentation was broadcast on the giant screens of the enclosure.
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