Football is considered to be one of the most popular sports worldwide, and people from all backgrounds, genders, and sexual orientations take part in the game. Despite this, it’s still uncommon for professional footballers to publicly come out and admit their sexual orientation. Jakub Jankto, a Czech Republic football player, has become the first active international men’s player who has announced that he is gay. This is a significant moment for the sport and the LGBTQ+ community as there have been very few openly gay professional athletes in the past.
Who is Jakub Jankto?
Jakub Jankto is a rising football star of the Czech Republic. The 25-year-old midfielder currently plays for Serie A club Udinese and the Czech national team. Jankto began his youth career at Sparta Prague, and he quickly made his way up the ranks of the club. He was given a chance to showcase his skills in the senior team, and his impressive performances caught the attention of the other European football clubs. Jankto has played for teams such as Sampdoria and has been with Udinese since 2017.
Jakub Jankto Comes Out as Gay:
Jankto has made headlines around the world after publicly coming out as gay in a social media video. In the video, Jankto revealed his sexuality and said he hoped his openness would encourage others to be honest with themselves and others. Jankto’s announcement was met with widespread support from fans, players, and clubs.
Why is Jankto’s announcement Important?
Jankto’s announcement is significant because he is the first active professional football player to come out as gay. There have been very few openly gay professional athletes in the past, particularly men. Jankto’s openness about his sexuality is a step towards greater acceptance and equality for LGBTQ+ individuals in football and sports. Jankto’s decision to come out also sends a message to young LGBTQ+ athletes who may be struggling with their identity and facing discrimination.
Homophobia in Football
Football has been marred with homophobia, and many LGBTQ+ individuals continue to face discrimination in the sport. Homophobic language is still prevalent in football, and there have been numerous instances of fans chanting homophobic slurs during matches. In some cases, players have also been found to use homophobic language. The situation has led to some players feeling the need to hide their sexuality, fearing the repercussions of being publicly outed. Jankto’s announcement could pave the way for more LGBTQ+ individuals to come out and be accepted as equals in the footballing world.
The Reaction to Jankto’s Announcement
Jankto’s announcement has received an overwhelmingly positive response from his fans, players, and clubs worldwide. The football community has praised Jankto’s bravery in coming out and openly discussing his sexuality. Jankto himself has stated that he was pleasantly surprised by the amount of support he received. He said that he hopes that his openness would encourage others who might be struggling to be true to themselves and speak out.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Jakub Jankto’s announcement has sent a powerful message to the football and LGBTQ+ communities. His bravery in publicly coming out as gay paves the way for greater acceptance and equality for LGBTQ+ individuals in football and sports. Jankto’s announcement is proof that football is slowly becoming more accepting and diverse, and players, fans, and clubs must continue to strive towards inclusivity and eradicate homophobia in the sport.
FAQ
Who is the gay footballer in the World Cup?
There has never been an openly gay footballer in the men’s World Cup. However, there is an openly gay footballer named Josh Cavallo, who plays for Adelaide United in the Australian A-League. Cavallo came out publicly in November 2021, becoming the only openly gay top-flight male soccer player in the sport. Since his announcement, he has received widespread support from the football community, including his teammates, opponents, and fans.
Despite progress in social acceptance in the sport, football still lags behind in the area of LGBTQ+ rights. This was highlighted again in February 2022 when FIFA banned players from wearing “OneLove” armbands at the Qatar 2022 World Cup. The “OneLove” campaign, organized by UK LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall, aimed to promote inclusion and tackle homophobia in sport. The ban drew criticism from LGBTQ+ rights groups and allies who argued that it was a missed opportunity for FIFA to show support for the LGBTQ+ community.
Cavallo voiced his disappointment in FIFA’s decision, stating it made him feel “excluded.” He has also spoken out about his experiences as a gay footballer, stating that he has faced homophobic abuse throughout his career, both on and off the pitch. Despite the challenges, Cavallo remains determined to be an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community in football and hopes to inspire others to come out and be themselves.
While there has never been an openly gay footballer in the men’s World Cup, players like Josh Cavallo are paving the way for greater inclusion and acceptance in football. Despite the setbacks and challenges that remain, it is crucial that football continues to strive towards a future where every player, regardless of their sexual orientation, can feel accepted and valued.
Who is the first footballer to come out as gay?
Since the inception of football as a professional sport, players have been known to maintain a certain level of privacy when it comes to their personal lives, especially their sexual orientation. However, one footballer stands out as the first player to come out as gay in the professional football world.
This trailblazer is Justin Fashanu, a former professional footballer in England, who was born in October 1961 in London, England. Justin Fashanu rose to fame as a striker, playing for Norwich City in the 1970s and 1980s. He briefly played for Nottingham Forest, among other clubs, before retiring in the early 1990s.
In October 1990, Fashanu publicly came out as gay in an interview with the tabloid press. This was a landmark moment, as it made him the only prominent player in professional English football to do so at the time. The revelation did not come as a surprise to those close to him, but it was a significant moment in both the football world and the wider society.
Following his announcement, Fashanu received both support and backlash from people around the world. While some praised him for his bravery and honesty, others subjected him to abuse and discrimination, both in his professional and personal life. His relationship with his brother, John Fashanu, who was also a professional footballer and a strong critic of homosexuality, deteriorated.
As a result of his public declaration, Justin Fashanu became an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community in sports, speaking out against homophobia and discrimination and calling for more inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals in professional football. While his public declaration was met with mixed reactions and he faced significant challenges, Fashanu’s bravery contributed significantly to the visibility of LGBTQ+ individuals in sports and paved the way for more LGBTQ+ players to come out as gay in professional football.
Unfortunately, Fashanu’s life took a tragic turn, and he committed suicide in 1998, at the age of 37. His passing remains a sobering reminder of the challenges faced by those who seek to push for greater acceptance and inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals in professional sports.
Justin Fashanu will forever be remembered as one footballer who was brave enough to come out as gay and face the very real backlash and scrutiny that followed. His life serves as an inspiration to many, and his legacy reminds us of the necessity of continuing to push for greater tolerance, equality, and inclusion in the world of professional football, and in society as a whole.
How many pro soccer players are there in the world?
Estimating the number of pro soccer players in the world is no easy task, as the numbers can vary depending on the source and the definition of what constitutes a professional player. However, according to the latest available data, it is estimated that there are around 130 thousand professional soccer players worldwide.
This number comes from a report published by FIFA in 2018, which also breaks down the number of professional players by country. Unsurprisingly, Brazil tops the list with over 10 thousand professional soccer players, followed by Germany with around 6.5 thousand and Argentina with over 5 thousand. Other countries with significant numbers of pro soccer players include England, Spain, Italy, France, Mexico, and the United States.
It should be noted that the definition of a professional soccer player can vary depending on the context and the organization doing the counting. FIFA, for example, defines a professional player as someone who has a written contract with a club, while other sources may include players who receive any kind of payment for playing soccer, including those in lower leagues or amateur settings.
In addition to the sheer number of professional players, soccer is also one of the most lucrative sports in the world, with top players earning millions of dollars in salaries, endorsements, and other sources of revenue. The popularity and global reach of soccer ensure that the demand for skilled players remains high, and the sport shows no signs of slowing down in terms of growth and development at all levels.
