Reports that Brazilian football legend Roberto Carlos has converted to Islam have attracted widespread attention in the Turkish media. According to the claims, the 53-year-old former defender embraced Islam approximately four weeks ago.
As reported by İdman.Biz, Goal.com examined the story after it was picked up by several Turkish outlets, including Haberler.
According to the reports, Roberto Carlos had been in contact with Sheikh Jihad Hamada, a prominent representative of Brazil's Muslim community, and met him in Brazil around four weeks ago. It is claimed that during that meeting, the former Real Madrid and Fenerbahce star recited the Shahada, the Islamic declaration of faith, and embraced Islam.
The reports gained wider attention following a social media post by Ali Sahin, a member of Türkiye's ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party).
Sahin wrote on X that during a visit to Brazil he met Sheikh Jihad Hamada at the Muslim Youth Charity Association in Sao Paulo. The Turkish politician described Hamada as one of the 500 most influential figures in the Muslim world.
According to Sahin, Hamada told him that Roberto Carlos, whom he described as a legend of Brazilian and world football as well as a former Fenerbahce player, had been in contact with him for some time.
Hamada reportedly said that he met Carlos around four weeks ago and that the Brazilian recited the Shahada during their meeting and chose Islam.
Sahin subsequently congratulated Roberto Carlos and wished him and his family "a life filled with peace, health and blessings."
However, there is an important caveat. Roberto Carlos himself has not publicly confirmed that he has converted to Islam. Therefore, despite the reports circulating in Türkiye and the account attributed to Sheikh Hamada, the information remains an unconfirmed claim until the former footballer makes a direct statement.
Marriage photos fuel speculation
The reports have also been linked to photographs circulating on social media showing Roberto Carlos signing a marriage contract with Moroccan Souhaila El Tahiri.
It had previously been reported that the Brazilian had married the Moroccan-born Spanish woman. El Tahiri is a FIFA-licensed football agent involved in managing players' professional careers and various football-related projects.
Photos from the couple's wedding ceremony resurfaced on social media on August 17, prompting renewed discussion about Carlos' personal life. However, the marriage itself is not recent.
Reports about the couple's marriage first emerged in January. They later held a private ceremony on July 25 attended by family members and close friends.
According to reports, Carlos and El Tahiri initially developed a professional relationship before it became personal. The couple have continued to cooperate on a number of projects related to footballers' business affairs and career management in Brazil and Europe.
For now, the key question remains unanswered publicly: Roberto Carlos has not personally announced a change of religion, meaning reports of his conversion to Islam should still be treated as unconfirmed.
