{"id":291359,"date":"2023-10-20T06:39:25","date_gmt":"2023-10-20T06:39:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsloveme.com\/?p=291359"},"modified":"2023-10-20T06:39:25","modified_gmt":"2023-10-20T06:39:25","slug":"international-footballer-can-play-without-being-scared-after-coming-out-as-gay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsloveme.com\/soccer\/international-footballer-can-play-without-being-scared-after-coming-out-as-gay\/","title":{"rendered":"International footballer can ‘play without being scared’ after coming out as gay"},"content":{"rendered":"
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    Jakub Jankto says coming out as gay has improved him on the pitch because he no longer has to play "scared".<\/p>\n

    The Czech Republic midfielder, who's on the books of Serie A side Cagliari, became the first openly gay currently active international footballer when he announced his sexuality on social media in February.<\/p>\n

    He was supported by his model ex-wife Marketa Ottomanska, who he separated from in 2021 and shares a son with. Jankto, 27, felt he was "hiding" his true self – and couldn't be happier he made the decision to open up.<\/p>\n

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    "I wasn't scared when I did it," he told the BBC. "It was a huge moment for me – but after six, seven months, I can say it wasn't a mistake.<\/p>\n

    "If I could do it again, I definitely would, because it helped myself and I think it helped many, many people. It was a huge moment for all footballers, and many professional footballers at many clubs wrote to me, thanking me for it.<\/p>\n

    "I think it set a good, positive example for everybody, and now I'm really happy that I can play without hiding or being scared. I just carry on like nothing has happened, and that's really, really good."<\/p>\n

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    Jankto was first capped by his nation in 2017 and has since made 45 appearances on the international stage, including helping them reach the quarter-finals of Euro 2020. He's previously played for Udinese, Sampdoria and Getafe.<\/p>\n

    It was during a loan to Sparta Prague last season that he realised he needed to come out. "Playing professional football is a dream of mine, and I'm always searching for ways to get better," he said. "And coming out is what I needed to do to get better.<\/p>\n

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    "I also thought to myself: 'Well look, Jakub, you are a professional footballer, but you have your life that you have to live like you want.' And for me, that was fundamental."<\/p>\n

    Jankto admits it's "strange" he's the only openly gay player in the top five European leagues but he "feels really good" about the reception to his sexuality in Italy.<\/p>\n

    He commended how both his team-mates and fans have carried on as normal and hopes he could inspire others, adding: "Maybe we'll see more examples like me, not just in football but in different worlds as well."<\/p>\n