Real Madrid and Brazil superstar Vinicius Jr has been invited to visit Cameroon after discovering his ancestral roots in the West African nation through a groundbreaking initiative.
As part of a campaign to connect Brazilian players to their heritage, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) collaborated with African Ancestry to conduct DNA testing.
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The results revealed that the 23-year-old forward's lineage can be traced back to the Tikar tribe, located in the central region of Cameroon.
"I didn't know; I'm seeing it now. But I'm very happy," Vinicius said in a statement issued by the CBF. "Now it's time to win the game, let's go for it."
The discovery, announced just before Brazil's clash against Uruguay, has since sparked excitement, including a heartfelt gesture from Cameroonian mixed martial arts icon Francis Ngannou.
Ngannou, a global star and former UFC heavyweight champion, extended an open invitation to the Real Madrid winger via Instagram.
Posing with a Cameroon national team jersey bearing "Vini Jr" on the back, the fighter made it clear that the country is ready to welcome one of its own.
"I have my Cameroon jersey with Vinicius Jr on it. Bro, Vini, we are eagerly waiting for you at home," Ngannou captioned the post.
Vinicius, who recently finished as runner-up in the 2023 Ballon d'Or, has yet to respond to the invitation.
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However, the discovery of his roots has already forged a deeper connection between the player and the African continent, where his talent and achievements are bound to inspire millions.