13 February 2023 , 13:42
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Czech Republic international footballer Jakub Jankto has announced he is gay in a powerful video on social media.
The 27-year-old former Udinese and Sampdoria star is currently on loan at Sparta Prague from LaLiga side Getafe. He has won 45 caps for the Czech Republic, including playing at Euro 2020.
Jankto declared: "I no longer want to hide myself", in the brave clip posted on his social media accounts as he spoke directly to the camera to share his story with the world.
"Hi, I am Jakub Jankto," he says in the clip. "Like everyone else, I have my strengths, I have my weaknesses, I have a family, I have my friends. I have a job, which I've been doing as best as I can for years with seriousness, professionalism and passion.
"Like everybody else, I also want to live my life with freedom, without fears, without prejudice, without violence, but with love. I am homosexual, and I no longer want to hide myself."
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Jankto's club, Sparta Prague, issued a statement in support, saying: "Jakub spoke openly about his sexual orientation with the club some time ago. Everything else concerns his personal life.
Jankto played for Czech Republic at Euro 2020 (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)"No further comments. No more questions. You have our support. Live your life, Jacob. Nothing else matters."
Jankto is the latest active professional footballer to bravely come out in recent months. Blackpool youngster Jake Daniels became the first British male footballer since Justin Fashanu to come out publicly last May in a powerful statement.
Daniels said at the time that he hoped that his decision to go public about his sexuality will encourage others from within the game who are hesitant to do the same.
"Now is the right time to do it. I feel like I am ready to tell people my story. I want people to know the real me," Daniels told Sky Sports News.
"I have been thinking for a long time about how I want to do it when I want to do it. I know now is the time. I am ready to be myself, be free and be confident with it all."
It also came after Adelaide United's Josh Cavallo became the first active male top-flight footballer to come out in October 2021. Jankto's announcement comes during LGBT+ History Month taking place in February.