It's an unfiltered Jakub Jankto , the one interviewed by Jack Murley in the “Bbc's LGBT Sport” podcast. The rossoblù midfielder spoke at length about his sexuality, starting from the coming out video published last February: «Every time I opened TikTok or Instagram, the first video was about me». Unprecedented media attention: «When you receive thousands, perhaps millions, of messages from people telling you that they appreciate you and thank you, you are really happy. But it put pressure on me,” explains Jankto. «It's not easy to be the first guy at my level who says, “Yes, I'm gay”» .

Then he retraced his life, starting from adolescence: «I was 13 or 14 when I realized that something was... not unnatural, but different . As a child you don't think about it that much." Then he says: «When I tried my first relationship with a girl, it wasn't like being a boy. And then when I joined professional football teams, being gay was still seen as “not normal”. Football is still a bit homophobic, I think ."

Jankto talks about his anxieties and fears: «I was terrified. When I was 18 or 19 and I was around other boys and I couldn't open messages on Whatsapp because I was always afraid that someone might see a message or photo from a boy." Then the rossoblù says he understood that hiding was penalizing him even on the pitch: «Playing professional football was a dream of mine, and I'm always looking for a way to improve. Coming out was what I needed to get better . I also said to myself: “Well Jakub, you are a professional footballer, but you have your own life that you have to live as you want”. And for me it was fundamental."

Hence the big decision: «I wasn't afraid when I did it. It was a huge moment for me, but after six-seven months I can say it wasn't a mistake. If I could do it again I would do it again, because it helped me and I think it helped many many people . It was a huge moment for all the players, and many wrote to me to thank me. I think it served as an example for everyone, and now I'm happy to be able to play without hiding or being scared . I carry on as if nothing had happened, and that's really nice."

Yet his situation is still an isolated one: «I was thinking about the situation and I said to myself: “You're the first case”. It's 2023, I don't know how many millions of people are gay and you are the first gay footballer in the top five leagues. It's strange! I was surprised."

Then he talks about how the news was received: «You know, I expected that in away games, someone in the stands could boo me. But no one did . Just nobody nobody! And I was like, “Oh God, that's beautiful.” How nice that everyone supports me, I feel really great here."

Now his life has changed: «I am proud of myself, because if I faced this situation I can face any situation in my life. And if you tell me gay people are proud of me, I say I'm proud of you, because I know how you feel. I know how people feel if they have to hide something, and I wish you good luck and be strong, because there is no reason to be afraid . Maybe we will see more examples like mine, not just in football."

(Unioneonline/L.Ne.)

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