Roberto Carlos denies reports that he converted to Islam

Brazilian football great Roberto Carlos has denied widely circulated reports that he converted to Islam following his marriage to Moroccan football agent Souhaila El Tahiri, saying the claims were untrue.

Carlos, speaking in exclusive comments to Saudi newspaper Okaz, said he had the "utmost respect" for Islam and appreciated seeing his wife pray, but had not converted to the religion, says the Saudi Gazette.

Speculation about his alleged conversion spread widely on Turkish and social media after Turkish lawmaker Ali Şahin said a prominent Brazilian Muslim leader had told him that Carlos had visited him, recited the Shahada and converted about four weeks earlier.

Images appearing to show Carlos taking part in an Islamic wedding ceremony also circulated online, adding to the speculation.

Carlos said the couple had held multiple wedding ceremonies in different formats to accommodate the religious beliefs of both families. One ceremony respected his Catholic family members, while another followed a format appropriate for his wife and their Muslim friends.

Carlos and El Tahiri first met during a football-related business meeting and have been together personally and professionally for two years. El Tahiri is a Fifa-licensed football agent.

Carlos, regarded as one of the greatest left-backs in football history, was part of Brazil's 2002 World Cup-winning team and spent the most successful period of his club career at Real Madrid.

He also has a connection with Turkish football, having played for Fenerbahçe from 2007 to 2009.

The reports of his conversion have not been supported by Carlos, who said his respect for Islam should not be interpreted as a change in his own religious beliefs.