The 8 cases of soccer players who revealed their homosexuality to the world

he Getafe footballer, Jakub Jankto, currently on loan at Sparta Prague, announced this Monday, through a video broadcast on Twitter, that he is homosexual. “I don’t want to hide anymore,” he says in it.

Jankto is the first footballer to announce it among all those who have gone through LaLiga. However, in other countries and in women’s football these types of statements are more common, the daily publishes ACE from Spain.

Josh Cavallo

The Australian soccer player, still active, declared himself homosexual in October 2021. He also did so through a video in which he explained his feelings. “Growing up gay and playing football were two worlds whose paths had never crossed.” The young soccer player said he had sacrificed up to that moment “who he was” to be able to do what he loved without fear. However, he acknowledged feeling happy with his decision to tell it.

Justin Fashanu

“I am gay”, published The Sun in the 90’s, with Justin Fashanu on the cover. The English player’s announcement was one of the most popular at the time it was produced. His family turned their backs on him, to the point that his own brother, who was also a soccer player, called him an “outcast.” In the United States, he was accused of abusing a 17-year-old boy. It was eventually proven that he was innocent, but he ended up committing suicide due to the pressure.

thomas hitzlsperger

The German midfielder was a footballer with a name in professional football. He played in teams like Lazzio, Wolfsburg or Everton, and made history by winning the Bundesliga with Stuttgart. He started in the Euro 2008 final against Spain. He retired early, before his 30th birthday. So, he made it public that he was gay.

Mapi Leon

The Barcelona player has acknowledged her homosexuality in different interviews, and she has done so, as she herself has commented, to give visibility to the LGTBIQ collective, in search of equality.

david testo

The American player announced his homosexuality in November 2019. Shortly after, he surprised by retiring, like Hitzlsperger, prematurely. At that time he was a member of the Montreal Impact. “I don’t think Canadian teams are willing to hire a gay footballer right now,” he said months after going public.

collin martin

In 2018, he became the third American professional soccer player to come out as gay. He uploaded a photo to social networks with the LGTBIQ flag. Currently, he plays as a midfielder for San Diego Loyal in the USL Championship, second division in the United States.

Magdalena Erikson and Pernille Harder

The two soccer players met, as a couple, in a Denmark-Sweden qualifying match for the 2019 World Cup. Erikson (Swedish) defeated Harder (Danish). However, months later, both left one of the images of the tournament. Harder, from the stands, congratulated Erikson after going to the Quarterfinals with a kiss that contributed to making homosexuality visible and natural in football. (D)