MMA Star Francis Ngannou Welcomes Vinicius Junior to Embrace Cameroon Heritage
- A DNA test has traced the ancestry of Real Madrid and Brazil star Vinicius Jr. to Cameroon, revealing his connection to the Tikar tribe
- The announcement was made on Tuesday, November 19, ahead of Brazil's 1-1 draw with Uruguay in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier
- Francis Ngannou is thrilled about Vinicius' Cameroonian heritage and has even urged him to switch allegiance and play for the Indomitable Lions
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MMA superstar Francis Ngannou has extended a heartfelt invitation to Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior, encouraging him to connect with his Cameroonian heritage.
Vinicius recently discovered his Cameroonian ancestry and was officially presented with a certificate recognizing his roots ahead of Brazil’s match against Uruguay.
Source: UGC
The Brazilian star expressed deep emotion about the discovery.
“Discovering that my roots are in Cameroon is a very special moment for me and my family. It reminds me that our origins and history are invaluable,” Vinicius shared via Essentially Sports.
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Ngannou urges Vinicius to wear the Cameroon shirt
Inspired by this connection, Ngannou urged Vinicius to embrace his roots further by considering a switch to represent Cameroon on the international stage.
Ngannou highlighted the possibility of Vinicius joining the Indomitable Lions for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a move that would electrify Cameroonian football and celebrate his newfound heritage.
The former UFC heavyweight champion posted on Instagram:
“I have my VINÍCIUS JR. jerseys for the Cameroon national team ready.
Brother @vinijr, we’re impatiently waiting for you at home. 🇨🇲
@fifaworldcup, here we come! 🏆🇨🇲.”
Ngannou, widely regarded as Cameroon’s biggest sports star, is a passionate football fan and an ardent supporter of Real Madrid.
While Ngannou hopes Vinicius might one day represent Cameroon, the chances of that happening are slim. Still, you can’t fault the MMA star for dreaming big.
Vinicius isn’t the only soccer icon with Cameroonian roots who has captured Ngannou’s admiration.
Mbappé enjoyed Ngannou's hospitality in Cameroon
Last year, French and Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé, whose father hails from the Cameroonian island of Djébalé, visited Cameroon and enjoyed Ngannou’s warm hospitality.
Although born and raised in Paris, Mbappé’s connection to Cameroon has not gone unnoticed, further strengthening the bond between global soccer and Cameroonian pride.
DNA test says Vinicius is from Cameroon
Earlier, Briefly News reported that a DNA test has unveiled Vinicius Jr's ancestral roots linking him to the Tikar tribe of Cameroon.
The revelation came ahead of Brazil's 1-1 draw with Uruguay in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
As part of the pre-match ceremony, Vinicius received a certificate confirming his Cameroonian heritage, alongside a video presentation exploring the rich history of the Tikar people.
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Source: YEN.com.gh
