Claims that Brazilian football legend Roberto Carlos has converted to Islam spread widely on social media, according to a report published by Amar Desh Online on August 19, 2026. Turkish outlet Daily Sabah said various sources were making the claim, which was amplified by Ali Sahin, an AK Party member of parliament from Gaziantep, after a visit to Brazil.

Sahin said he learned of the alleged conversion directly from Sheikh Jihad Hammadeh, described as a prominent senior Islamic figure in Brazil. He said Carlos and Hammadeh had maintained positive contact for some time and met privately in Sao Paulo about four weeks earlier. According to Sahin, Carlos recited the shahada in Hammadeh’s presence during that meeting.

The report said Carlos has not issued any public video, social-media statement or formal announcement confirming the claim. As a result, the information cannot be presented as confirmed, and doubts about its reliability remain. Carlos, a 2002 World Cup winner with Brazil and former Real Madrid player, has prompted extensive online discussion, with many Muslim fans offering congratulations.