Famous Portuguese footballer Christiano Ronaldo may be considering converting to Islam. This speculation was raised in a recent interview with Abdullah, a former football player who worked with Ronaldo at Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. Abdullah shared that Ronaldo has shown strong respect for Islamic customs and traditions since arriving in Saudi Arabia.
“Ronaldo genuinely wants to convert to Islam. I spoke to him about it, and he expressed interest,” Abdullah stated.
Ronaldo’s Interest in Islam
Abdullah revealed that Ronaldo has expressed interest in converting to Islam. He mentioned a particular moment when Ronaldo prostrated (sujood) after scoring a goal. Moved by his act, his teammates celebrated by chanting “Allahu Akbar” (God is Great). Abdullah also pointed out that Ronaldo has encouraged his teammates on a few occasions to follow their religious practices. This included pausing training when the call to prayer sounds.
“When the call to prayer sounds during training, Ronaldo asks the coach to stop until it finishes,” he said, adding that this sensitivity shows the football star’s growing understanding of Islamic customs.
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Influence from Teammates
Ronaldo’s interest in Islam is not something new. Abdullah explained that Ronaldo has been influenced by former teammates, particularly Mesut Özil and Karim Benzema, both devout Muslims. Their discussions about faith seem to have had a lasting impact on Ronaldo, sparking his curiosity and appreciation of Islam.
Furthermore, when Ronaldo first arrived in Saudi Arabia, he was unfamiliar with many of the local customs and culture. Abdullah shared that Ronaldo often asked him questions, eager to learn and understand more. Despite being one of the world’s biggest stars, the star footballer’s humility and eagerness to adapt to the local culture have made him even more admired by his teammates and the local community.
No Official Confirmation Yet
However, Ronaldo himself has not made any official statement regarding his beliefs. Nevertheless, his actions, like participating in prayers and encouraging his teammates to do the same, have earned him respect from his Muslim fans all over the world.
While Cristiano Ronaldo has not officially confirmed if he has converted to Islam or not, his growing respect for Islamic practices and his efforts to embrace local customs in Saudi Arabia have sparked admiration.
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