Sport
Lewis Hamilton Celebrates African Roots, Names Nigeria Among Heritage
Lewis Hamilton confirms African roots in Benin, Senegal, and Nigeria, advocating for a Formula 1 Grand Prix on the continent
Seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton has confirmed his African heritage, citing ancestry in Benin, Senegal, and Nigeria, ahead of the 2026 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
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Hamilton, who joined the Ferrari Formula 1 Team in 2025, used the FIA press conference to reflect on his roots, expressing pride in the continent.
“I’m half African. I’ve got roots from a few different places there. Benin, Senegal, Nigeria. It’s something I’m really proud of, that part of the world,” he said.
The British driver linked his ancestry to his ongoing campaign to bring Formula 1 back to Africa, highlighting the continent’s natural beauty, tourism potential, and untapped fanbase.
He also addressed historical exploitation, saying, “I don’t like that the rest of the world owns so much of it and takes so much from it and no one speaks about it.”
Hamilton first advocated for an African Grand Prix in 2022, pointing out that Africa last hosted an F1 race in South Africa in 1993.
Behind-the-scenes talks have explored potential races in Rwanda, while plans for a South African GP face delays due to upgrades at the Kyalami Circuit.
Beyond racing, Hamilton uses his platform to amplify African voices and showcase the continent’s economic and cultural significance.
His personal connection reinforces the importance of hosting a Grand Prix in Africa, a mission he has championed for nearly a decade.
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In a separate milestone, Hamilton was recently knighted at 36 for his contribution to sports and global representation of England, an honour presented by Prince Charles.
Cristiano Ronaldo announces his retirement from Portugal international duty after 23 years, ending a career that included 146 goals in 234 games
On 5 November 2026, Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo announced his retirement from international duty, bringing an end to a 23-year career with the national team just as a rift with manager Jorge Jesus appeared to have been patched up.
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The 41-year-old posted a video on social media in which he declared that the time had come to hang up the number 7 jersey.
“Portugal will always be in me,” he said. “The time has come to hang up the number 7 of our national team. I never felt it was exclusively mine, but for 23 years I had the privilege and the responsibility of wearing it.”
Ronaldo added that the decision was not easy and had been taken with both the head and the heart.
He leaves as Portugal’s most capped player and the highest goalscorer in men’s international football history, with 146 goals in 234 appearances.
His career highlights include the Euro 2016 title and two UEFA Nations League triumphs.
The announcement comes a day before Jorge Jesus was due to name his squad for the November Nations League fixtures, following reports that Ronaldo had been included in the preliminary selection after a September fallout over playing time.
In October, Ronaldo had accused Jesus of breaking his word after being left as an unused substitute against Norway, leading him to leave the national team camp.
He later apologised and stated he remained available after any punishment.
The pair were reported to have cleared the air, yet Ronaldo has now chosen to step away entirely.
The decision closes one of the most remarkable international careers the sport has seen and leaves Portugal without its long-serving captain for the remainder of the Nations League campaign.
Also read: Mourinho Balanced on Vinicius With Soft Approach
Football has been stunned by the sudden end to Ronaldo’s Portugal chapter. While he continues at club level with Al Nassr, the national team must now look to the future without its greatest ever player.
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