Czech Republic’s Midfielder Jakub Jankto Comes Out As Gay

Jakub Jankto, a male football player for the Czech Republic, has openly come out as gay, saying he “no longer wants to hide.”

Jakub Jankto, a 27-year-old midfielder, who is on loan at Sparta Prague from the Spanish team Getafe, announced his sexual orientation via his verified Twitter page on Monday.

Jankto has made 45 appearances and scored four goals for the Czech Republic since making his senior debut in 2017.

“Like everybody else, I have my strengths, I have my weaknesses, I have a family, I have my friends,” he said.

“I have a job that I have been doing as best as I can for years with seriousness, professionalism, and passion.”

He added: “Like everybody else, I also want to live my life in freedom without fears, without prejudice, without violence but with love.

“I am homosexual and I no longer want to hide myself.”

Josh Cavallo, an Adelaide United player, was the only active top-flight male professional footballer who was openly gay before Jankto’s public declaration.

According to a statement from Sparta Prague, Jankto had “some time ago” been upfront about his sexual orientation with the team’s management, coach, and players.

Jankto has played in 10 league games since signing on loan with Sparta Prague in August, contributing one assist and one goal.

Up to the time of his signing with Getafe in Spain in 2021, he played the majority of his club football in Italy with Udinese, Ascoli, and Sampdoria.