Jakub Jankto
Jakub Jankto is a Czech former professional footballer who played for the Czech Republic national team. A versatile player, Jankto could play as a full-back, left midfielder or left winger.
Jankto came out as gay in a social media post in 2023, making him the first active male international footballer to come out as gay.
Club career
Jankto signed for Udinese from Slavia Prague in 2014 for a reported fee of €700,000. Without making his league debut for the team, he went on loan to Serie B side Ascoli in 2015, debuting on 15 September in a Serie B 1–0 home win against Virtus Entella.On 6 July 2018, Sampdoria announced that Jankto had joined the club on an initial loan deal with an obligation to make the transfer permanent for €15 million. On 12 August 2018, Jankto scored on his debut for Sampdoria in a 1–0 Coppa Italia win against Viterbese. Sampdoria later made the transfer permanent.
On 20 August 2021, Jankto signed a two-year contract with La Liga club Getafe CF. The following year on 10 August, he returned to his homeland after joining Sparta Prague on a one-year loan deal.
On 15 July 2023, Jankto signed a two-year contract with option with Serie A club Cagliari. He made his debut with Cagliari on 21 August 2023 in a goalless draw against Torino FC. On 3 March 2024, he scored his first goal for Cagliari in a 1–0 victory against Empoli.
On 21 August 2025, Jankto announced on his Instagram that he had retired due to persistent health problems. He also referred to “wanting to spend more time with his son” as one of the reasons for his retirement.
International career
In March 2017, Jankto received his first call-up by coach Karel Jarolím to the Czech senior squad for two matches against Lithuania and San Marino. The same year on 22 March, he debuted against the former opponent with his first goal that ended in a 3–0 victory.Personal life
Jankto was in a relationship with model Markéta Ottomanská and had a son. They separated in 2021.On 13 February 2023, Jankto publicly came out as gay in a social media statement, becoming the first active senior international men's footballer to do so. Jankto's move received support from football clubs, footballers and other athletes.
On 18 April 2023, Jankto was stopped by police near the Sparta Prague Strahov training center. He submitted to a breath test behind the wheel of his vehicle, but refused to take a drug test and a medical examination. He also drove without a driver's licence, which had been taken away by the authorities earlier in 2023. In response, club management initiated a meeting with Jankto, and it was decided that he would not participate in training sessions with the first team.
Career statistics
International
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
| 1 | 22 March 2017 | Městský stadion, Ústí nad Labem, Czech Republic | 2–0 | 3–0 | Friendly | |
| 2 | 15 November 2018 | Stadion Energa Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland | 1–0 | 1–0 | Friendly | |
| 3 | 10 June 2019 | Andrův stadion, Olomouc, Czech Republic | 1–0 | 3–0 | UEFA Euro 2020 qualification | |
| 4 | 24 March 2021 | Arena Lublin, Lublin, Poland | 6–1 | 6–2 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification |