Getafe loanee Jakub Jankto has admitted that the reaction he received in three countries after bravely coming out was nothing short of “perfect.”
The 27-year-old Czech midfielder, who is on loan at Sparta Prague, announced to the world last month his sexuality and wants to “live my life in freedom without fears.”
Jankto was met with admiration and praise after dropping his spine-tingling video on social media, with Sparta Prague fans giving him a standing ovation last month.
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The Getafe player has since broken his silence after coming out, with Jankto calling it a “very important” decision and he is “very happy” that he made it.
Speaking to Spanish newspaper Marca (as per a translation from Football Espana), Jankto welcomed the reception he received from the Czech Republic, Spain and Italy.
“I’m very well. It was a hard three weeks, especially the first one, because I didn’t know what to expect,” he said.
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“But the reactions were perfect in the Czech Republic, Spain, Italy… That no doubt helps you to continue, to live and to be focused on football, which is what comes first for me. Football first. Then I can focus on other things.”
Jankto, whose loan deal with Sparta Prague expires in the summer, insisted that he came out when he felt the timing was right and is ready to face any criticism he receives.
“It was at the moment when I felt it. I haven’t been thinking all my life about coming out,” he said.
“I have played normally for eight years. I don’t know what happened, but there are certain things you want to say. You want to live how you want to live. I said it the moment I felt it like it.”
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Jankto added: “Of course, I’m ready. I don’t know what can happen in the future, but I hope it will be a good example for everyone.
“In some places, maybe, you find people who can’t stand it, but I respect everyone.
“Maybe if I were living in Spain, I wouldn’t say it, but when you’re at home… I don’t know what happened, but in my mind, there was a moment when I said: ‘You are going to say that you are homosexual and you can live as you want.’”
“Sure, you have friends, family, your son here… When you’re at home it’s easier to say that.
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“I was playing seven years in Italy and one year in Spain, but being at home helps you a lot.”
Adnan Riaz