Samuel Eto’o Reacts to Vinícius Júnior’s Cameroonian Heritage
Prince Jean
Nov 21, 2024
Samuel Eto’o celebrates Vinícius Júnior’s discovery of his Cameroonian roots, tracing his lineage to the Tikar people of central Cameroon.
Samuel Eto’o, president of the Cameroon Football Federation, expressed his delight after learning that Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior has ancestral roots in Cameroon. This discovery followed a DNA test conducted in Brazil, where Vinícius was born.
On Tuesday, Vinícius revealed test results showing his lineage traces back to the Tikar people of Cameroon. The test was part of Golden Roots, an initiative aimed at uncovering the African heritage of Black Brazilians, whose ancestors were taken to Brazil during the transatlantic slave trade.
Vinícius shared his excitement about the discovery, noting that even his parents were thrilled to learn about their Cameroonian origins.
In Cameroon, the news was met with positive reactions, including from Samuel Eto’o, who welcomed the connection. The Tikar people, known for their farming and pastoral traditions, are one of the 294 ethnic groups in Cameroon, with a history spanning centuries.
Golden Roots plans to further highlight stories like Vinícius Júnior’s, including producing a documentary that explores the connection between African heritage and Black Brazilians.