Jakub Jankto, the first La Liga player to publicly say he is gay

Barcelona“I also want to live my life in freedom. Without fear. Without prejudice. Without violence. But with love. I am homosexual and I don’t want to hide anymore.” This is how Jakub Jankto, a Czech player who is owned by Getafe and currently plays on loan at Sparta Prague, has expressed his homosexuality. Through a video on social networks, the midfielder wanted to reflect on his life and love and announced that, from now on, he will stop hiding or being afraid of being gay. He is 27 years old and an absolute international with his country.

The message was clear and forceful, in the little more than 40 seconds that the video lasts. “Like everyone, I have my strengths. I have my weaknesses. I have a family. I have my friends. I have a job that I do as well as I can, for years, with seriousness, professionalism and passion,” explained the footballer in the recording published on his Twitter profile, created for the occasion. His club has been the first to react and support his player. “Jakub Jankto openly discussed his sexual orientation with the club’s management, the coach and his teammates some time ago. Everything else concerns his personal life. No more comments. No more questions . He has our support. Live your life, Jacob. Nothing else matters,” defended Sparta Prague in a tweet. “Our utmost respect and unconditional support for our footballer”, tweeted Getafe, the club with whom he has a contract.

Jankto belongs to Getafe, who acquired the rights from Sampdoria for six million euros for the 2021-2022 season, and with whom he played 15 games. He is currently on loan with an option to buy at Sparta Prague. He is the first footballer with past and present in the Spanish league to openly declare his homosexuality. Social media has been flooded with expressions of support and congratulations for Jankto’s bravery. At home, Girona has been the only one – so far – to send a message of support: “Thank you, Jakub. Football is for everyone!”.

Despite the fact that barriers are increasingly broken and male footballers publicly announce their homosexuality, we have to go all the way back to 2021 to see the latest example. It was the Australian footballer Josh Cavallo, who also did it through a message on social networks. “It’s been a journey to get to this point in my life, but I couldn’t be happier with my decision to come out. I’ve been struggling with my sexuality for over six years and I’m happy to park- ho,” the Adelaide United player explained over a year ago. This is proof that there is still a long way to go before footballers can live their homosexuality with full normalcy.