Reports claiming that Brazilian football icon Roberto Carlos had converted to Islam have been denied by the former Real Madrid and Brazil defender. The 53-year-old was recently linked to claims from Turkey and Brazil’s Muslim community that he had embraced the religion after meeting Sheikh Jihad Hammadeh, but those reports were not confirmed by Carlos himself.
Roberto Carlos has now rejected the conversion rumours, making it clear that the reports circulating about his faith are untrue. The story had gained attention after comments attributed to Sheikh Hammadeh and Turkish lawmaker Ali Şahin were repeated by several outlets, but Carlos’ denial puts an end to the speculation.
Roberto Carlos Breaks Silence on Islam Conversion Claims After Moroccan Marriage Reports
Roberto Carlos has firmly denied reports that he converted to Islam, clarifying that the claims surrounding his faith are false. The former Real Madrid and Brazil defender addressed the speculation after reports linked his alleged conversion to his marriage to Moroccan football agent Souhaila El Tahiri, which sparked widespread discussion across Turkish media and social platforms.
Speaking to Saudi newspaper Okaz, Carlos said he respects Islam but has not converted to the religion. “I have the utmost respect for Islam, and it is wonderful to see my wife praying, but the circulating rumors about my conversion to Islam are not true,” Carlos told Okaz.
The rumours had claimed that the 53-year-old embraced Islam around four weeks earlier after reportedly reciting the Shahada during a meeting with Sheikh Jihad Hamada, a prominent figure in Brazil’s Muslim community. The story gained further traction after Turkish lawmaker Ali Şahin said he had been informed of Carlos’ alleged conversion during a meeting with representatives of Brazil’s Muslim community.
Roberto Carlos Explains Wedding Ceremony Amid Islam Conversion Rumours
The conversion claims gained momentum after Ali Şahin said Sheikh Jihad Hamada had told him that Carlos had visited him around four weeks earlier, recited the Shahada and embraced Islam. Images from what appeared to be an Islamic wedding ceremony involving Carlos and Souhaila El Tahiri also circulated online, adding to the speculation. Carlos, however, explained that he and El Tahiri organised different wedding ceremonies to respect both sides of their families, including his Catholic relatives and his wife’s Muslim family and friends.
He also revealed that the couple first met during a football-related business meeting and have been together for two years, both personally and professionally. El Tahiri is a FIFA-licensed football agent who works on player management and football projects.
Carlos remains one of football’s most celebrated left-backs, having enjoyed his greatest club success with Real Madrid and playing a key role in Brazil’s 2002 World Cup triumph. He also spent two seasons with Turkish giants Fenerbahçe between 2007 and 2009. His relationship with El Tahiri became public earlier this year, while photos from their wedding celebrations have since attracted significant attention online.
