Iker Casillas has deleted tweet in which he appeared to come out as gay

Iker Casillas claims he was hacked after deleting a tweet that said: "I hope you respect me. I'm gay".

The 41-year-old former Real Madrid and FC Porto player, regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in football history, took to social media on Sunday afternoon.

He wrote: "I hope you respect me: I'm gay." before using the hashtag felizdomingo, which means happy Sunday in Spanish.

Casillas, who was married to journalist Sara Carbonero for five years before their separation in March 2021, received a wave of support following the post.

Barcelona legend Carles Puyol responded, saying: "It's time to tell our story, Iker" followed by a love heart and kissing emoji.

But around an hour later, the former Los Blancos goalkeeper deleted the post.

Reports in Spain soon emerged claiming it may have been a hoax amid reports that he's fed up of speculation surrounding his dating life.

Spanish publication AS suggest Casillas' post on Twitter is a response to rumours that he's in a possible relationship with Alejandra Onieva, who is the ex-sister-in-law of Spanish TV host Tamara Falco.

Since those reports in Spain emerged, the 39-year-old has released a statement claiming his Twitter account was hacked. He also apologised to the LGBT community.

A post on Casillas' Twitter page read: "Hacked account. Luckily everything in order. Apologies to all my followers. And of course, more apologies to the LGBT community."

In March last year, Casillas announced his split with Sara Carbonero after 11 years together.

“Both Sara and I feel enormously proud of the family we are and of having shared a love that has filled us with happiness during all our years together," he said on Instagram.

“Today our love as a couple takes different but not distant paths since we’ll continue together in the marvellous task of continuing to be devoted parents as we have been up until now.

“This is a well-considered decision which we have taken through mutual agreement.”

He added: “The respect, affection and friendship will remain forever.

“Our priority is, through affection and compromise, to share the wellbeing and education of our children and protect them so they grow in a stable and healthy environment.

“With these words we ask you please to respect our privacy in this moment of change.

“These will be the only public words we issue for the time being and in the future. Many thanks for your understanding.”

Last month, Casillas rejected claims he was dating Gerard Pique's ex-wife Shakira.

The 39-year-old announced his retirement from football in 2020, a year after since he suffered a heart attack in training with Porto in May 2019.

"This is the most important day and at the same time one of the most difficult of my sporting career, the time has come to say goodbye," the Spaniard wrote in a letter posted on Twitter.

"I have been very fortunate to make a career out of something that I am passionate about, something that fills me and makes me happy.

"My football career started 30 years ago and it has been a long path and like any journey, it's had its good times and sad times. Looking back and at this stage of my life, I can say it's been well worth it."