Brazilian football legend Roberto Carlos has reportedly embraced Islam in Brazil, according to Turkish lawmaker Ali Şahin, who said he learned about the development from a prominent member of Brazil’s Muslim community.
Şahin, a member of Türkiye’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), made the claim after meeting representatives of Islamic organisations in São Paulo.
According to Şahin, Sheikh Jihad Hammadeh, a prominent figure in Brazil’s Muslim community and a vice president and religious adviser of the National Association of Islamic Jurists, told him that Carlos had been in contact with him for some time.
Şahin said the former Real Madrid and Fenerbahçe star visited Hammadeh around four weeks ago and recited the Shahada, the Islamic declaration of faith.
“Sheikh Jihad Hammadeh shared the good news that Roberto Carlos, a legend of world and Brazilian football who also played for Fenerbahçe, had been in contact with him for a long time and visited him four weeks ago, where he recited the Shahada and embraced Islam,” Şahin wrote in a social media post.
He congratulated Carlos and wished him and his family “a life filled with peace, health and blessings.”
Roberto Carlos Has Not Confirmed the Claim
Despite the claim from the Turkish MP and reports in Turkish media, Roberto Carlos has not publicly confirmed that he has converted to Islam.
The reported conversion therefore remains unverified until Carlos himself or his representatives issue a statement.
The claim emerged after Şahin met members of Brazil’s Muslim community at the Islamic Charitable Youth League of Brazil in São Paulo. Representatives of several Islamic organisations were reportedly present at the meeting.
Sheikh Jihad Hammadeh is said to have told Şahin about Carlos’ alleged conversion during the meeting.
Who Is Roberto Carlos?
The 53-year-old Roberto Carlos is widely regarded as one of the greatest left-backs in football history.
The Brazilian defender achieved global fame during his long career with Real Madrid, where he won multiple major trophies, including the UEFA Champions League and La Liga. He was also a key member of Brazil’s national team and won the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
Carlos later moved to Türkiye, joining Fenerbahçe in 2007, where he spent two seasons before leaving the club.
His reported conversion has attracted attention because of his long-standing connection with Türkiye and his status as one of Brazil’s most recognisable football figures.
Carlos’ Marriage to Moroccan Football Agent
The reports about his alleged conversion also come amid renewed attention surrounding Carlos’ marriage to Moroccan-born football agent Suhayla Tahiri.
Photos from a private wedding celebration resurfaced on social media recently, leading to renewed interest in the couple.
Tahiri is a FIFA-licensed players’ agent based in Spain and works in football management and representation. Reports indicate that her relationship with Carlos began through their professional connection before developing into a personal relationship.
However, the resurfaced wedding photographs are not evidence of Carlos’ reported conversion to Islam.
For now, the claim that Roberto Carlos has embraced Islam is based on the account given by Sheikh Jihad Hammadeh and publicly shared by Turkish MP Ali Şahin. A direct statement from Carlos remains awaited.
