Vinicius Jr discovers Cameroonian roots through DNA test

Brazilian football sensation and Real Madrid forward, Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira Júnior, popularly known as Vinicius Jr, has discovered his ancestral connection to Cameroon.

This revelation came through a DNA test conducted by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) in collaboration with AfricanAncestry.com.

The test results, unveiled on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at Fonte Nova Stadium, trace the football star’s lineage to the Tikar tribe in Cameroon.

The announcement was made during the warm-up session for Brazil’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Uruguay. Vinicius Jr was presented with an official certificate detailing his ancestry before the match, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

The DNA test was part of the CBF’s “Roots of Gold” campaign, an initiative designed to celebrate the rich heritage and history of Afro-Brazilian communities, particularly their contributions to football.