Brazilian football legend Roberto Carlos has denied reports claiming that he converted to Islam following his marriage to Moroccan football agent Souhaila El Tahiri.
The former Real Madrid and Brazil defender said he has the “utmost respect” for Islam but confirmed that claims about his conversion are false.
“I have the utmost respect for Islam, and it is wonderful to see my wife praying, but the rumours circulating about my conversion to Islam are not true,” Carlos told Saudi newspaper Okaz.
The speculation spread widely on social media after photographs from Carlos’ wedding circulated online. Some users interpreted the presence of Islamic traditions and a Muslim religious figure at the celebrations as evidence that the former footballer had embraced Islam.
Reports also claimed that Carlos had recited the Shahada, the Islamic declaration of faith, during a meeting with Sheikh Jihad Hammadeh in São Paulo.
The claims were further amplified by Turkish lawmaker Ali Şahin, who said he had been told that Carlos had visited the sheikh and embraced Islam.
Carlos, however, rejected the reports.
He explained that the wedding included different ceremonies to respect the religious backgrounds of both families. His family members are Catholic, while his wife and many of her relatives and friends are Muslim.
The former Brazil international said his participation in celebrations incorporating Islamic traditions should not be interpreted as a conversion.
Some images circulated online as supposed evidence of Carlos wearing Islamic attire were also found to be misleading, with one widely shared image identified as AI-generated by Lebanese fact-checkers.
Carlos, 53, is regarded as one of the greatest left-backs in football history. He spent much of his career at Real Madrid and won the 2002 FIFA World Cup with Brazil. He also played for Turkish club Fenerbahçe and later worked as a coach in Türkiye.
The football legend said he respects different faiths but made clear that he has not converted to Islam.
