‘I no longer want to hide myself’: Czech Republic footballer Jakub Jankto comes out as gay in an emotional video on social media as he vows to live his life ‘without fears, prejudice and violence’
- Jankto wants to encourage others to speak out after revealing he is homosexual
- He has spent close to a decade playing in Italy, Spain and the Czech Republic
- The 27-year-old has received widespread praise on social media for the message
Czech Republic star Jakub Jankto has come out as gay in an emotional video on social media while vowing: ‘I no longer want to hide myself.’
Jankto, who is currently on loan at Sparta Prague from LaLiga side Getafe, revealed he is homosexual after insisting he is determined to live life ‘without fears, prejudice and violence – but with love’.
The 27-year-old said: ‘Hi I am 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 am homosexual and I no longer want to hide myself.’
Czech Republic star Jakub Jankto has come out as gay in an emotional video on social media
Jankto, who has earned 45 caps for his country, says he wants to live his life ‘without fear’
As Jankto finishes speaking, a tagline at the bottom of the video reads: ‘This is not an entertainment. The purpose of this video is to encourage others.’
The Getafe player is one of few male footballers to have come out as gay in recent years. Josh Cavallo, who plays for Australian team Adelaide United, came out in 2021 to then become the only pro in the world to reveal he was gay.
Blackpool FC’s Jake Daniels then became Britain’s only active homosexual player when he made the move to help tackle homophobia in the sport last year.
Some have also come out after their careers were over, such as former Aston Villa player Thomas Hitzlsperger and ex-Hull City youth star Thomas Beattie.
Jankto, who has become the first LaLiga footballer to come out as gay, has been widely praised after he shared his message on social media, with one user posting: ‘Your courage and strength are inspiring, Jakub. Be free, be you, be loved. We stand with you.’
Another commented: ‘Thank you very much for your words. You are helping many of us.’
A third said: ‘This will make you an inspiration to thousands of young guys around the world. I congratulate you on your decision and keep my fingers crossed that you are happy.’
While one put: ‘Thank you for this. World would be a better place if others follow your lead and show their strength’.
The Getafe midfielder posted the video on social media to encourage others to speak out
Parent club Getafe heaped praise on Jankto by writing: ‘Our utmost respect and unconditional support to our footballer Jakub Jankto’.
England’s Premier League also commended the player for speaking out, posting: ‘We’re with you, Jakub. Football is for everyone’.
Jankto has earned 45 caps for Czech Republic after being handed his debut back in 2017, scoring four goals.
The Prague-born star began his career in Italy with Udinese, before enjoying loan stints with Ascoli and Sampdoria.
He joined Sampdoria permanently in 2019 and two years later sealed a move to Getafe, who sent him out on loan to Sparta back in August.
