Jakub Jankto: The First Openly Gay Male International Footballer

In February of this year, Jakub Jankto, a Czech Republic footballer, changed the course of his life in just 44 seconds. He took to Twitter to post a video, becoming the first current male international footballer to publicly come out as gay. The news quickly spread across the football world, and Jankto found himself at the center of attention.

Speaking exclusively to BBC Sport, Jankto described the overwhelming response he received from the public. He said, “Whenever I opened TikTok or Instagram, the first video was about me. Everyone was speaking about me! While the support and appreciation from thousands, even millions of people made him happy, it also put pressure on him. Being the first openly gay male footballer at his level was not an easy position to be in.

To understand the significance of Jankto’s decision, one must know his background. His story began in Prague, where he dreamed of following in the footsteps of Czech stars Pavel Nedved and Tomas Rosicky. He pursued his dreams by signing his first top-flight contract with Serie A’s Udinese. He later played for Sampdoria and La Liga’s Getafe, earning 45 caps for the Czech Republic national team.

One of his notable experiences with the national team was their participation in Euro 2020. The Czech Republic made it to the quarter-finals, defeating teams like England and the Netherlands along the way. Jankto considered this achievement as the pinnacle of his personal and team success.

Despite his accomplishments, Jankto felt that he needed to take a leap of faith to continue growing as a player. He had known about his sexuality since he was a teenager but had kept it hidden due to the fear of negative reactions in the football world. However, he realized that keeping it hidden was holding him back both on and off the pitch. Coming out as gay was his way of being true to himself and improving as a player.

Jankto’s decision to come out was met with overwhelming support from his former partner and the public. However, he also faced social media abuse, which he acknowledges is a sad reality. He expressed surprise that he was the first openly gay male footballer in the top five European leagues in 2023, considering the number of gay individuals worldwide.

Since coming out, Jankto has experienced a sense of normalcy, especially since returning to Italy to play for Serie A’s Cagliari. He mentioned that his teammates treat him no differently, and he feels supported by everyone. He expressed gratitude for the lack of negative experiences during away games, as no one from the crowd has shown any homophobic behavior towards him.

With the freedom he’s felt since coming out, Jankto hopes to earn a place in the Czech Republic national team again. He last played for his country in June 2022 but believes that if he does get selected, it would be the first time he represents his country as his authentic self.

Reflecting on his journey, Jankto expressed pride in himself and the positive impact his coming out has had. He hopes that his story will serve as an example and inspire others, not just in football but in various fields, to embrace their true selves.

Jankto’s story serves as a testament to the progress being made in the world of football towards acceptance and inclusivity. While challenges persist, his bravery and authenticity pave the way for a more inclusive future in the sport.

Cagliari and Czech Republic footballer Jakub Jankto shared his story in an exclusive interview with BBC Sport’s LGBT Sport Podcast.