Roberto Carlos dismisses rumors of converting to Islam

Staff Report: PNN

Reports claiming that former Brazilian World Cup winner Roberto Carlos had converted to Islam were circulating widely on social media over the past few days. The legendary former left-back has now directly dismissed those rumors, clarifying that news of his conversion is entirely baseless.

This was revealed on Thursday (August 20), citing a report by Goal.com.

In an interview given to the Saudi newspaper Okaz, Roberto Carlos addressed the various discussions surrounding his religious beliefs. While expressing deep respect for Islam, mentioning that he appreciates seeing his wife pray, he confirmed that reports of him converting to Islam are untrue.

Recently, various media outlets and social media channels in Turkey carried claims regarding Carlos changing his religion. This was fueled by several photos and events from his personal life.

A few weeks ago, news of Roberto Carlos meeting Sheikh Jihad Hammadeh, an influential figure in Brazil's Muslim community, was published. Later, photos circulated online showing an Islamic-style wedding ceremony conducted in the presence of a Qazi, where Carlos was also seen. From those images, rumors of his conversion to Islam grew stronger.

Roberto Carlos recently married Moroccan businesswoman Souhaila Tahiri. The presence of various religious customs during the wedding ceremony generated further curiosity on social media.

Clarifying the discussions surrounding the wedding, Roberto Carlos explained that their wedding celebrations were conducted in multiple phases. Considering the religious beliefs of family members, one ceremony was held following Catholic traditions. Additionally, a separate ceremony was organized for his wife and her Muslim friends.

Through this explanation, the former Brazilian star made it clear that the news of his conversion to Islam is not true.

Roberto Carlos holds a decorated list of achievements in his football career. Along with winning the 2002 World Cup with Brazil, he also played in the 1998 World Cup final. In club football, he won multiple titles with Real Madrid, including the UEFA Champions League, La Liga, and the UEFA Super Cup.

Roberto Carlos built a distinct global reputation for his blistering speed, powerful bending free-kicks, and attacking style of play. Alongside his on-field success, fans maintain a strong interest in his personal life. However, his direct statement regarding the recent rumors has put an end to the speculation surrounding his conversion to Islam.