Real Madrid and Spanish legend Iker Casillas has divulged that he is gay.
In a tweet on Sunday afternoon, the former goalkeeper said: "I hope you respect me: I'm gay."
However, he deleted the tweet later.
The 41-year-old was inundated with support following his announcement.
Casillas had tied the knot with sports journalist Sara Carbonero for five years before they parted ways in March 2021 - they have two children, both boys.
Casillas has become one of the too-most male footballers in history to announce their homosexuality.
Casillas has won one World Cup, two European Championships, five La Liga titles and three Champions Leagues in a career of 22 years.
He has spent 25 years with Real Madrid, which he joined at nine.
Talking about his love life, between 2004 and 2008, Casillas dated beauty pageant winner, Eva Gonzalez and Carbonero. The shot-stopper famously kissed her following Spain's triumph at the 2010 World Cup, when La Roja beat the Netherlands in the final.
