First player to come out as gay doesn’t want to be the only one: “Don’t be afraid”

Jakub Jankto says he is “very happy to be able to play” without “hiding or being afraid”.

It’s been almost a year since Jakub Jankto surprised everyone and everything by becoming the first elite player in world football to declare himself homosexual. A decision that, he guarantees, he now does not regret in the slightest.

In an extensive interview given this Wednesday to the British television station BBC Sports , the Czech international, who plays for Cagliari, encouraged others to follow in his footsteps: “I know how people feel if they have to hide something, and I wish you good luck. Stay strong, because there is no reason to be afraid.”

“When I did it, I wasn’t afraid. It was a great moment for me, but after six or seven months, I can’t say I made a mistake. If I could do it again, I would, clearly, because it helped me, so like many, many other people”, he began by stating.

“It was a great moment for all the players, and many from many clubs wrote to me to thank me. I think it was a good and positive example for everyone, and now I’m very happy to be able to play without hiding or being afraid.” , he continued.

“I was thinking about the situation, and I concluded ‘You are the first case of its kind. In 2023, I don’t know how many million people are gay, and you are the first gay player in the five major championships’. This is strange! I was surprised by that “, he added.