Roberto Carlos denies rumors of converting to islam

17:21

By: Azzat Manal

Roberto Carlos denies rumors of converting to islam

Brazilian football legend Roberto Carlos has denied reports claiming that he recently converted to Islam, after rumors about his alleged change of religion spread across social media and several media outlets.

The reports suggested that the former Real Madrid defender had embraced Islam following an alleged meeting with a man identified as Sheikh Jihad Hamada. According to the claims, the football icon had reportedly pronounced the Islamic declaration of faith.

However, Roberto Carlos rejected the reports and said that although he has great respect for Islam, the claims about his conversion are untrue. His wife, Moroccan-born Spanish businesswoman and football agent Souheila Tahiri, also publicly addressed the controversy and confirmed that her husband had not converted to Islam.

Tahiri called for greater caution when sharing information about people's religious beliefs and private lives. She also denied claims that Sheikh Jihad Hamada had visited Roberto Carlos in hospital or recited the Quran to him, describing the story as inaccurate.

The confusion may have been partly linked to the couple's wedding ceremonies, which reportedly reflected the different religious and cultural backgrounds of their families. Respect for another faith or participation in a ceremony connected to different traditions does not necessarily indicate a change of religious belief.

The controversy gained further attention after Turkish lawmaker Ali Şahin claimed on August 17, 2026, that Roberto Carlos had converted to Islam several weeks earlier. Şahin attributed the information to Sheikh Jihad Hamada, who was described as a religious adviser associated with a Brazilian Muslim scholars' organization.

Roberto Carlos's subsequent denial, together with his wife's statement, contradicts those claims. The episode highlights how quickly unverified reports concerning celebrities can spread online, particularly when they involve sensitive issues such as religion and personal identity.

The former Brazil international remains one of the most recognizable figures in football history. Known for his powerful free kicks, attacking style and long career at Real Madrid, he has continued to attract international attention long after retiring from professional football.

The latest controversy therefore appears to be centered not on a confirmed change of faith, but on the rapid circulation of an unverified story. Both Roberto Carlos and his wife have urged the public to distinguish between respect for another religion and an actual declaration of religious conversion.