Roberto Carlos embraces Islam in Sao Paulo, says Brazilian Islamic union official

Roberto Carlos, the former Brazil and Real Madrid defender, has embraced Islam in Sao Paulo, according to Jihad Hamada, deputy president of the Islamic Jurists Union in Brazil and the organisation’s religious adviser.

Hamada said the 53-year-old former footballer had converted in recent weeks after the pair had been in contact during the recent period. He added that Roberto Carlos had recited the Shahada, the Islamic declaration of faith, as part of his conversion.

The announcement was made by Hamada, who congratulated the Brazilian football legend and expressed his hope that Roberto Carlos would enjoy a life filled with peace.

Roberto Carlos was one of the leading figures in Brazil’s team that won the 2002 World Cup. He became widely recognised for his powerful left foot, attacking style and influential role at international and club level.

His most significant club spell came with Real Madrid, where he played from 1996 until 2007. During that period, he established himself as one of the most prominent defenders in the history of the Spanish club and became a central figure in a successful era for the team.

The former Brazil international’s career at Real Madrid lasted 11 years, making it the longest spell identified in the announcement regarding his playing career. His time at the club followed his rise to prominence with Brazil, culminating in the national side’s World Cup triumph in 2002.

Hamada, who serves both as deputy president of the Islamic Jurists Union in Brazil and as its religious adviser, said he had remained in contact with Roberto Carlos in the weeks before the conversion. He described the development as a moment worthy of congratulations and offered his personal good wishes to the former player.

Roberto Carlos is 53 years old and is remembered primarily for his achievements with Brazil and Real Madrid. His period in Madrid, from 1996 to 2007, formed the golden phase of his club career, while his international legacy includes his contribution to Brazil’s 2002 World Cup-winning squad.

The news concerns the former player’s conversion in Sao Paulo and was disclosed by Hamada, who said Roberto Carlos had formally pronounced the Shahada before beginning what he described as a new stage of his life.