Has Roberto Carlos converted to Islam?

Legendary Brazilian footballer Roberto Carlos, who previously played for Real Madrid and Turkey's Fenerbahce, reportedly converted to Islam about four weeks ago.

This was stated by Ali Sahin, a member of the Turkish parliament from the Justice and Development Party, citing representatives of Brazil's Muslim community.

According to Sahin, the information was conveyed to him by Sheikh Jihad Hammadeh, vice president and religious adviser of the National Association of Islamic Jurists, and also one of the prominent figures of the country's Muslim community.

As the Turkish lawmaker recounted, Roberto Carlos had been in contact with Hammadeh for some time, after which he visited him in Brazil about four weeks ago. During that meeting, the footballer allegedly pronounced the shahada — the Islamic profession of faith — thereby declaring his conversion to Islam.

Sahin made this information public after a meeting with Hammadeh and other representatives of Brazil's Muslim organizations, held in Sao Paulo. In his message, the lawmaker congratulated the former footballer on his presumed conversion to Islam and wished him and his family peace, health, and well-being.

The meeting was also attended by representatives of various Islamic organizations in Brazil, including the president of the Islamic Charitable Youth League of Brazil, Sharif Neto, the head of the Pari Mosque Foundation, Omar Aref, as well as representatives of the National Association of Islamic Jurists and other religious and charitable bodies.

At the same time, Roberto Carlos himself has not yet publicly confirmed the information about the change of faith. Thus, the reports of his conversion to Islam remain unconfirmed by the footballer himself.

Roberto Carlos is 53 years old and is considered one of the most outstanding defenders in the history of world football. The Brazilian spent a significant part of his career at Real Madrid, with whom he repeatedly became champion of Spain and winner of the Champions League.

It is worth noting that in 2007 Carlos moved to Turkey's Fenerbahce, where he continued his career and played for several seasons. After ending his playing career, he worked as a coach and was involved in various football projects.

The information about the presumed conversion to Islam emerged amid reports about the former footballer's personal life. It was previously reported that he married Suhaila At Tohiri, a football agent of Moroccan origin who lives in Spain.

No official statement from Roberto Carlos regarding the reports of his conversion to Islam has been made at this time.