Instagram - Roberto Carlos
Brazilian football legend Roberto Carlos has become the centre of a major discussion online after reports claimed that he has converted to Islam.
The 53-year-old former Real Madrid star reportedly recited the Shahada, the Islamic declaration of faith, during a meeting with Sheikh Jihad Hammadeh in Brazil around four weeks ago. However, Carlos has not personally confirmed the news so far.
The claim was brought into the spotlight by Turkish MP Ali Şahin following his meeting with representatives of Brazil’s Muslim community in São Paulo.
According to Şahin, Sheikh Jihad Hammadeh told him that Carlos had been in contact with him for a long time. The football icon allegedly visited the religious leader four weeks ago, recited the Shahada and chose to embrace Islam.
Şahin subsequently congratulated Carlos and wished the former footballer and his family a peaceful and healthy life.
The reports surfaced shortly after photographs from Carlos’ wedding celebration with Souhaila Ettahiri went viral on social media.
Souhaila is a Spain-based, FIFA-licensed football agent of Moroccan origin. While their marriage was first reported in January, the couple reportedly hosted a private celebration in Spain on July 25 in the presence of family members and close friends.
The timing has led several social media pages to connect Carlos’ reported conversion with his marriage. However, there is currently no evidence confirming that his alleged decision to embrace Islam was linked to Souhaila or their wedding.
Not yet. While the conversion claim has come from a Turkish lawmaker citing a prominent member of Brazil’s Muslim community, neither Roberto Carlos nor his official representatives have issued a statement confirming it.
Until the Brazilian legend speaks about his faith himself, reports about his conversion should be treated as an unconfirmed claim rather than an established fact.
This post was last modified on August 19, 2026 9:00 pm