Iker Casillas, Real Madrid legend has declared that he is gay, becoming one of the most high-profile male footballers in history to confirm their homosexuality.
The ex-Spain goalkeeper post a tweet on Sunday afternoon, he wrote;
“I hope you respect me: I’m gay.”
Recall Casillas was married to sports journalist Sara Carbonero for five years before their separation in March 2021, a union which produced two children, both boys.
The 41-year-old received a wave of support upon his shock announcement, from the LGBTQ community, including from Barcelona icon and his former Spain teammate, Carles Puyol. Casillas, who retired in 2020 after suffering a cardiac arrest during training with final club Porto, is remembered for being one of football’s most successful goalkeepers.
Casillas and his former wife famously kissed on air during a post-match interview after Spain won the World Cup and have helped each other through serious health scares during their five-year-marriage.
Former Spanish international Casillas, who had to quit football after a heart attack, said in an emotional Instagram post at the time;
“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.”
