Roberto Carlos Denies Reports of Converting to Islam

Brazilian football legend Roberto Carlos has denied reports that he converted to Islam, while stressing that he has the “utmost respect” for the religion.

The former Real Madrid and Brazil star addressed the speculation in an interview with Saudi newspaper Okaz after rumours about his religious beliefs spread across Turkish media and social networks.

“I have the utmost respect for Islam. It is beautiful to see my wife praying. But the rumours that I converted to Islam are not true,” Carlos said.

Carlos is married to Souheila El Tahiri, a FIFA-licensed football agent involved in player management and football-related projects. The couple reportedly first met during a football business meeting and have been together both personally and professionally for around two years.

Carlos explained that they held different wedding ceremonies to respect the religious beliefs of both families. His Catholic family attended a ceremony suited to their faith, while another event was arranged in line with the religious traditions of his wife and their Muslim friends.

The conversion rumours gained further attention after Turkish politician Ali Şahin claimed he had heard that Carlos had embraced Islam after meeting representatives of Brazil’s Muslim community. Photos from a wedding ceremony that appeared to follow Islamic traditions also circulated widely on social media.

Carlos has now directly rejected those claims.

The 2002 World Cup winner is regarded as one of football’s greatest left-backs. He enjoyed the most successful period of his club career at Real Madrid and also played for Turkish side Fenerbahçe between 2007 and 2009.