Football Players That Are Gay

In the past, it was uncommon for professional football players that are gay to disclose their status.

The landscape of men’s professional football has historically lagged in terms of LGBTQ+ representation and visibility.

However, these groups soon developed courage and began to announce their stands.

Recently, the German newspaper Preußische Allgemeine Zeitung announced that several football players that are gay would soon make public announcements about their sexual lifestyle.

Among the brave few who have shared their sexual orientation is Czech player Jakub Jankto, who declared, “I no longer want to hide myself” in a heartfelt video on social media on February 13, 2023.

Despite these advancements, homophobia remains a pervasive issue in men’s football at large.

There are male football players that are gay who have openly confirmed so in the English Premier League, and an initiative has been launched to address a series of “damaging” homophobic incidents at stadiums nationwide.

Yet, as these small victories continue to be achieved, these players demonstrate that they can be out and proud at the highest levels of the men’s game.

Jake Daniels | Football Players That Are Gay

Jake Daniels is a forward for Blackpool, an English Football League Championship club.

In May 2022, at 17, Daniels made history by becoming the first openly gay professional male footballer in the UK since Justin Fashanu in 1990.

During an interview with Sky Sports News, Daniels expressed his readiness to share his story with the public, emphasizing his desire for fans to know the real him.

Daniels stated that his decision to come out was driven by his desire to live authentically and to serve as a role model for others facing similar struggles.

Despite his youth, Daniels, now 19, has navigated the media attention surrounding his announcement with poise.

He boldly declared himself among football players that are gay.

In a Channel 4 documentary titled “Out and Proud in Football,” Daniels revealed that Tom Daley’s 2021 Christmas message, which called for bravery from a Premier League player to come out, inspired him to share his journey.

In December 2023, Daniels spoke to Daily Star Sport about the overwhelming support he has received from his teammates since coming out.

He emphasized that his primary focus remains proving himself as a skilled footballer, just like any other player.

“Obviously, I am a gay footballer, but at the end of the day, I am just a footballer, and I just want to be a professional footballer. That is my main focus,” he said.

Josh Cavallo

Josh Cavallo serves as a left-back and central midfielder for Adelaide United, a team in the Australian A-League.

The 24-year-old athlete publicly came out as gay in October 2021 through a poignant open letter and a heartfelt video shared on social media platforms.

In his announcement, Cavallo expressed his desire to leverage his platform to foster greater inclusivity for the LGBTQ+ community.

This courageous step made him the only active gay male professional footballer in top-flight football globally.

Cavallo has actively voiced his opposition to FIFA’s decision to penalize players who chose to wear the OneLove diversity armband during the 2022 World Cup.

He also criticised the tournament hosted in Qatar, where the practice of same-sex relationships is deemed unlawful.

Moreover, Cavallo has openly discussed his close relationship with Thomas Beattie, a former English footballer who announced his homosexuality after retiring from the sport.

Cavallo mentioned that Beattie has had a significant impact on him and has helped him understand the importance of being open about one’s sexuality.

Josh Cavallo has also clarified that he would decline the opportunity to participate in the 2034 FIFA World Cup in Saudi Arabia if chosen.

This is due to the country’s discriminatory laws against the LGBTQ+ community.

Zander Murray | Football Players That Are Gay

Despite his recent announcement of retirement from professional football, Scottish footballer Zander Murray is known as one of the gay football players.

Murray, who was playing for Gala Fairydean Rovers in the Lowland League, made his public disclosure of his sexuality while engaged in his career.

His football journey began at Motherwell, followed by a move to Airdrieonians, a club where Justin Fashanu played.

In September 2022, at 30, Murray became the first openly gay male professional footballer in Scotland.

He shared his experience of living in constant fear before choosing to embrace his sexuality. Subsequently, he disclosed his relationship with a partner.

Murray expressed his hope that his openness would inspire others. He shared some of his initial apprehensions about coming out with Sky Sports.

“Coming out is one thing. But then accepting it walking around with your queer friends… no one gives you a rulebook on how you are going to feel in public.

“‘Oh no, what if my football friends see me? What are they going to say?’ [that’s some of the worries I had] in my early stages of coming out,” he had said.

In January 2023, Murray achieved another milestone by joining League Two team Bonnyrigg Rose, becoming the sole openly gay footballer in Scotland’s top four divisions.

In December 2023, he declared his retirement from the sport.

Jakub Jankto

Czech player Jakub Jankto joined the list of football players that are gay.

He previously played for Sparta Prague while on loan from Spanish La Liga team Getafe.

In February 2023, he shared a heartfelt video on social media where he openly declared his sexuality.

In the video, he courageously expressed his desire to live freely, without fear, prejudice, or violence, but with love.

He stated, “I am homosexual, and I no longer wish to conceal this part of myself.”

Following Jankto’s announcement, an outpouring of support flooded.

Responding, Jon Holmes, the founder of Sports Media LGBT+, describes the moment as groundbreaking for men’s football.

He said: “Jakub is the first active senior international player to publicly come out as gay or bisexual. Thi marks a significant milestone for the sport.”

In October 2023, he expressed that if given the chance, he would come out as gay again. He stressed he can now pursue his passion without hiding or living in fear.

Collin Martin | Football Players That Are Gay

Collin Martin presently plays as a midfielder for North Carolina FC.

He previously participated for San Diego Loyal in the USL Championship.

In 2018, he publicly revealed his sexual orientation as gay while playing for Minnesota United FC.

Martin had expressed to ESPN his desire for clubs to value him as a soccer player and an individual.

The 29-year-old has shared his perspective on the lack of LGBTQ+ representation in sports. He suggests that agents may be influencing athletes to remain closeted.

Moreover, Martin has been outspoken about LGBTQ+ rights at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

He had sometimes criticized FIFA for what he perceived as a lack of concern for these rights during the tournament.

He said: “There has been no interest from FIFA in trying to improve the lives of the people living there.

“I think it should have been awarded to a more progressive country willing to open its doors to everyone.”

Phuti Lekoloane | Football Players That Are Gay

Phuti Lekoloane, also recognized by his stage name Phuti Minaj, is gay.

He serves as the goalkeeper for the South African SAFA Second Division team, Tornado FC.

In July 2015, Lekoloane publicly disclosed his sexual orientation.

He becomes the sole openly gay male footballer in South Africa to play at a professional level.

During an interview with ESPN, Lekoloane revealed that before his coming out, there was widespread awareness of his sexual orientation.

Albeit, not within the realm of football.

He was exposed on a live radio broadcast, an event he described as “surprising” but one that ultimately led him to recognize his own “bravery” in the face of such exposure.

However, Lekoloane, 31, says that coming out has hurt his sporting career, telling ESPN: “A lot of clubs shut doors in my face because of my sexuality. Not everyone will be comfortable with something they don’t know, so it has hit me very hard and taken a lot from me.”

“It does not matter how many doors are shut in your face; you need to stay true to yourself,” he added.