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With his step, Jakub Jankto also wants to encourage other people to come out
Photo: Acero / imago images/Alterphotos
The Czech national soccer player Jakub Jankto has made it public via Instagram that he is gay and wants to live his life "in freedom".
The 27-year-old plays for Sparta Prague on loan from Spanish top-flight club Getafe.
He is currently the only active player with a contract in a top European league who has dared to come out.
In the video he shared on his Instagram channel, Jankto emphasized that he is a human being like everyone else, with strengths and weaknesses.
"Like everyone else, I want to live my life freely," Jankto said.
“Without fear.
Without prejudices.
Without violence.
But with love.
I'm gay and I don't want to hide anymore."
With his statement, the Czech also wants to persuade other people to come out.
"The purpose of this video is to encourage others," the clip says at the end.
Jankto has 45 caps for the Czech Republic, scoring four goals.
At a young age he moved from Slavia Prague to the Udinese Calcio U19s.
In 2019 he went to Sampdoria for almost 15 million euros, two years later he moved on to Getafe.
His contract in Spain runs until 2026, Sparta Prague has an option to buy.
Only a few professional footballers worldwide have so far made their homosexuality public - mostly only after the active career.
In 1990, Englishman Justin Fashanu, who played for Nottingham Forest and Notts County, was the first active professional to take this step.
However, he failed to find acceptance and took his own life in 1998.
In 2021, midfielder Josh Cavallo became the first active professional footballer in the Australian A-League to come out.
"I'm a footballer and I'm gay," the then 21-year-old from Adelaide United announced on social media.
In May last year, Blackpool striker Jake Daniels revealed he is gay.
cf/Reuters
