Brazilian football star converts to Islam

Brazilian footballer Kathleen Souza has officially embraced Islam, a spiritual milestone coinciding with her current stay in Saudi Arabia, where she performed Umrah.

The announcement was made on Tuesday by her Saudi club, Al Nassr, which welcomed the decision and shared it publicly. The club expressed their support and highlighted the warm messages from her teammates congratulating her on this personal journey.

Following her conversion, Kathleen visited the Grand Mosque in Mecca (Masjid al-Haram) to perform Umrah, marking a deeply spiritual moment in her life. The club shared a video on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, captioned:

“We are honoured to share this special moment from the life of our player Kathleen Souza. May Allah grant her steadfastness and fill her heart with peace and serenity.”

In the video, Kathleen appears visibly moved, tears in her eyes. She reflects on her journey, saying, “I was only searching for the right path and wanted to see a better version of myself.”

Career Overview

Kathleen Souza plays as a central defender and currently captains Al Nassr in the Saudi Women’s Premier League. She has also represented the Brazilian national team. Raised in Baixada Santista, Brazil, she began her sporting career in futsal before moving to the United States for further education and football development. She played college football with Monroe College Mustangs, Louisville Cardinals, and UFC Nights.

Her professional career began with FC Girondins de Bordeaux, followed by stints at Inter Milan and Real Madrid. In 2024, she joined Al Nassr, bringing her international experience to the Saudi league.

Kathleen made her debut for Brazil in 2018 and played in the following year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup. Her journey reflects a blend of sporting excellence and personal growth, culminating in her recent spiritual transformation.

Kathleen’s decision to embrace Islam has been met with widespread respect and admiration, highlighting not only her dedication on the field but also her personal commitment to faith and self-discovery.