10 Soccer Players Who Change Religion

Religion has always played a key role in human life; it was a guiding compass in our quests and conquests, and our daily life. It’s that thread which stitches the fabric of humanity together, and footballers are superstitious lots who always wrap themselves in this cloak of divine belief.

From kissing crucifixes to raising their hand towards the sky in a gesture of appreciation to the almighty after a goal, religion often takes centre stage in the life of a footballer. After all, the stakes in football are high: scoring, missing penalties, and that odd beer shower from your teammate.

But players don’t always cling to the faith they were born into.

Life gets in the way, love blossoms and views on spirituality changes. Just like that sudden managerial sacking or that surprise transfer window, some soccer stars do their spiritual shape-shifting too.

Let’s take a look at some soccer players who found new religions and a new sense of purpose off the pitch.

Contents

1. Franck Ribéry : Christian to Muslim

1. Franck Ribéry : Christian to Muslim

10 Soccer Players Who Change Religion

First on this faith-flipping list comes Bayern Munich legend Franck Ribéry, whose right foot was razor sharp, much like his switch to Islam in 2002. Ribéry’s conversion wasn’t some casual dip into spirituality, for a while, his new faith lent some serious depth to his game.

“Since I converted to Islam, I became stronger, mentally and physically,” he said in an interview.

And if anyone could speak to Ribéry’s fiery intensity, it was Jerome Boateng, who accidentally doused him with beer during Bayern’s 2013 title celebrations. Ribéry wasn’t amused-it turns out, Islam frowns upon being soaked in lager.

However, Ribéry’s journey to Islam was not entirely personal. His relationship with Wahiba, an Algerian lady who later married him, contributed much to his religious change of heart. He took the Muslim name “Bilal,” did his five daily prayers, and continued setting defences alight skills sharper than his newfound convictions.

2. George Weah: Christianity to Islam to Christianity

10 Soccer Players Who Change Religion

Now, we turn our attention to a footballing icon whose career trajectory is almost as dizzying as his religious journey. A Ballon d’Or-winning legend for Liberia, now the country’s president, started in life as a Christian, then turned to Islam, and later switched back to Christianity.

You might think that this was mere experimentation by Weah himself, but his spiritual journey reflected something far more important: unity.

Notwithstanding, Weah’s back-and-forth conversion for one has been preaching peace between religions all his life. That is a befitting belief for a man who healed a fractured Liberia after years of civil unrest.

Of course, with silky skills at AC Milan, Chelsea, and PSG, Weah didn’t just win titles but won hearts across religious and cultural divides.

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3. Eric Abidal: Christianity to Islam

10 Soccer Players Who Change Religion

Fans of Barcelona might know Eric Abidal as an indefatigable defender and the man who made an incredible return from a liver transplant, but what they may not know is that his love life determined his choices of religion.

Just like Ribéry, Abidal’s turning to Islam was because of marriage. His wife, Hayet Kebir, of Algerian descent, guided him toward the faith. The Frenchman took to Islam with the same discipline he showed on the field.

But Abidal’s spiritual and physical strength was put to the test in 2011 when he was diagnosed with a liver tumour. After a successful transplant, and his return to football in triumph, Abidal credited faith for seeing him through the ordeal.

Suffice it to say that his resilience in defence stretched way beyond the football pitch into what life threw his way.

4. Nicolas Anelka: Christianity to Islam

10 Soccer Players Who Change Religion

Football’s very own journeyman was in as much headlines for his transfers as for his footballing abilities. But during all the action of switching clubs, Anelka made a far more personal switch-his religion. The former Arsenal, Chelsea, and Real Madrid striker converted to Islam in 2004.

While Anelka has always been an enigma on the pitch-flashes of brilliance marred by moments of controversy, the conversion came deep within and was unwavering.

“Islam was for me,” Anelka said. “I had that conviction in my heart.” And given Anelka’s unique relationship with managers, teammates, and referees alike, maybe a little divine intervention wasn’t a bad idea.

5. Emmanuel Adebayor: Christianity to Islam

10 Soccer Players Who Change Religion

Talking about drama, one would not forget Adebayor. With sensational sprints, as depicted in that infamous celebration against Arsenal, and a formidable presence up front, the Togolese international took a spiritual journey.

Adebayor, a Christian, has converted to Islam while playing for Turkish side İstanbul Başakşehir.

Like many others, he was attracted by the peace and discipline offered by Islam. His faith did appear to ground him, particularly given the explosive nature of his career. However, rumours have since emerged that he may have returned to Christianity after leaving Turkey.

But just like some of his footballing decisions, Adebayor’s religious choices do remain a bit of an enigma.

6. Djibril Cissé : Islam to Christianity

10 Soccer Players Who Change Religion

With those wild haircuts and that inked-up body of his, you wouldn’t know it, but Djibril Cissé’s spiritual journey comes in as colourful as his on-pitch style.

Born into an Islamic household, the French striker eventually switched teams in the religious realm when he converted to Christianity in 2007 after marrying Jude Littler, a Welshwoman.

From being a predator on the football field, tearing apart defences in Ligue 1 and the Premier League, Cissé now had a new faith to see him through the ups and downs of life.

Sadly, his marriage ended in divorce in 2012, and what the religious standing of the Liverpool and Marseille star is at the moment remains murky. B

However, whether it is bending crosses or taking them up spiritually, Cissé’s evolution remains as intriguing as his footballing career.

7. Sammy Kuffour: Islam to Christianity

10 Soccer Players Who Change Religion

Kuffour is one of Bayern Munich’s best performances, at least on the pitch.

However, this player who has been one of the most effective no-nonsense defenders within the Bavarian behemoth’s defensive setup has a faith life far removed from the passion he manifests on the field. He hails from a Muslim background but became a Christian in 2003 after losing his daughter in a tragic drowning case.

That sad occurrence finally drove him to seek refuge in his new religion, and that is big evidence of how faith can see us through some of life’s most difficult moments.

He was visibly distraught, but his resilience on the pitch and in his personal life remains an inspiration.

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8. Thomas Partey: Christianity to Islam

10 Soccer Players Who Change Religion

The midfield enforcer who tackles like he’s dealing with life’s existential dilemmas took a spiritual detour in 2022. The Ghanaian powerhouse, known for his no-nonsense style at Arsenal, swapped his football boots for prayer mats when he converted to Islam.

He did it in style—by changing his name to Yakubu, just after getting married to Moroccan beauty Sara Bella. As far as name changes go, this one’s as smooth as a slide tackle.

He released a video confirming the switch, saying, “I am a Muslim, I have a girl I love, and I know some of my friends will leave me but no problem.”

If that’s not a midfield maestro casually shrugging off pressure, I don’t know what is.

Be it breaking up play or breaking new ground in life, Yakubu (née Partey) handles it with calm efficiency. And just like Arsenal fans, his new faith welcomed him with open arms—and probably better vibes than the Emirates crowd after a tough match.

9. Frederic Kanouté: Christianity to Islam

10 Soccer Players Who Change Religion

The former Malian striker whose touch was smoother than my Wi-Fi on a good day, made headlines both for his football and for his faith. After dancing through defenders in Europe, Kanouté made a spiritual move in 1999, converting to Islam at the age of 22.

He didn’t just dip his toe in the water; he jumped straight into the deep end, renaming himself Frederic Oumar Kanouté. The man doesn’t do anything halfway—just like those curling finishes into the top corner.

His commitment to Islam was no gimmick. He took his faith seriously—so seriously that when Sevilla’s shirt sponsor was a gambling site, he refused to wear it.

No betting odds could change his stance. The club had to give him a sponsor-free jersey every match, a bold move that probably made more of a statement than his goal celebrations.

In 2007, when a mosque in Seville was on the brink of being sold, Kanouté reached into his pocket, dropping over $700,000 to save it. Imagine scoring goals on the field and saving spiritual homes off it—that’s next-level heroism.

He later raised over a million dollars to build the first mosque in Seville in 700 years, adding “architect” to his already stellar résumé. And we thought his two UEFA Cup trophies were impressive.

10. Clarence Clyde Seedorf: Christianity to Islam

10 Soccer Players Who Change Religion

If Versatility had a middle name, it’d probably be “Clarence Seedorf.” The Dutch legend who won the Champions League with three different clubs—Ajax, Real Madrid, and AC Milan—made headlines off the pitch in 2022 when he converted to Islam.

The transition wasn’t a dramatic affair though. Seedorf, always the cerebral player, took to Instagram to announce his conversion in the same composed manner he used to boss the midfield.

“I’m very happy to join the Muslim family,” Seedorf wrote, thanking his wife, Sophia, for guiding him deeper into the faith. Unlike many converts, Seedorf chose to keep his birth name, honouring his parents and their decision to name him Clarence.

It’s a fitting end to a career marked by quiet class and unflashy dominance. Seedorf’s conversion to Islam wasn’t about making headlines—it was about continuing his growth journey, both as a person and as a player.

The Champions League winner might have hung up his boots, but his spiritual boots are just getting broken in.

Bonus

Thierry Henry

Henry’s footwork and blistering pace were enough to send defenders into a spiritual crisis, but it’s his possible conversion to Islam that’s had fans buzzing off the pitch.

The Arsenal and France legend, who’s revered like a football deity has openly spoken about feeling close to Islam. Though he hasn’t officially confirmed whether he’s taken the leap of faith, Henry once mentioned that if he ever chose a religion, it would be Islam, thanks to the influence of former teammates like Franck Ribéry and Eric Abidal.

In typical Henry fashion, his approach to spirituality has been measured and thoughtful, much like the way he handled defenders.

While reports on his conversion remain speculative, the respect he’s shown towards Islam speaks volumes. Henry’s not a man for flashy announcements—whether it’s his celebrations or spiritual musings, he prefers to keep things classy and understated. But just like his footballing prowess, his faith is something worth watching closely.

Honorable Mentions

Danny Blum
Emeka Ezeugo

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