LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Jakub Jankto has publicly come out as the highest-profile male footballer to announce he is gay.
Jankto, who plays for Sparta Prague on loan from Getafe, revealed he is gay in a post on Twitter, saying: “I no longer want to hide myself.”
He has become the third active footballer to come out as gay, following Adelaide United defender Josh Cavallo and Blackpool striker Jake Daniels.
Jankto says: “Hi, I’m Jakub Jankto. Like everybody else, I have my strengths, I have my weaknesses. I have a family, I have my friends. I have a job, which I have been doing as best as I can for years, with seriousness, professionalism, and passion.
“Like everybody else, I also want to live my life in freedom, without fears, without prejudice, without violence, but with love. I’m homosexual and I no longer want to hide myself.”
A caption at the end of a clip he shared reads: “This is not entertainment. The purpose of this video is to encourage others.”
Jankto has received 45 caps for the Czech Republic since making his debut in 2017.
Also, he follows in the footsteps of Australian Josh Cavallo, who came out publicly in 2021, and Jake Daniels of Blackpool, who is the only current British male player to reveal he is gay as he publicly open up on his sexuality orientation with the team.