The soccer world has not seen many players open up about their sexuality. It is still a topic that is deemed controversial by many. The conflicts that arise when one reveals their gender or what they identify as is one of the main reasons why people do not come out of the closet. In soccer, that number is even lower. However, Jakub Jankto, a Czech Republic player, has recently come out as homosexual and got the world talking.
In a statement, he mentioned, “Like everybody else, I have my strengths, I have my weaknesses, I have a family, I have my friends. I have a job, which I have been doing as best as I can for years with sincereness, 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’m homosexual, and I no longer want to hide myself.”
Czech Republic international Jakub Jankto has publicly come out as gay in a social media statement. pic.twitter.com/cAjnpfDvuL
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 13, 2023
Jakub’s revelations have made waves across the soccer world. The main reason for this would be the fact that it is not every day that we see a player let the world in on his gender or sexual preferences.
Did Jakub Jankto have a girlfriend?
Not many will be aware of who Jakub is. He is a Czech Republic international who has racked up 45 appearances and 4 goals for the senior national team. He started his soccer career at Slavia Prague in his home country, before moving to Italy, where he played for Udinese. That was where Jakub made his senior debut.
The midfielder went on to feature 65 times for the club from 2015 to 2019. After brief loan spells at Ascoli and Sampdoria, Jankto bagged a permanent move to the latter. This was where he appeared 65 times once again. Jankto also played 13 times for La Liga club Getafe and is now a Sparta Prague player after the club signed him on loan in 2022.
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Jakub used to be in a relationship with a model; Marketa Ottomanska. Information on when or how the former couple met is not available. But they have posed for pictures with their son, DJ. Marketa can often be seen with DJ on her Instagram page. She has posted images with Jakub in the past as well. Considering how Jakub has now identified himself as homosexual, we might be able to assume that the pair broke up some time ago.