Ex-Real Madrid and Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas has deleted a tweet that said he was gay – saying his account was hacked.
Casillas tweeted in Spanish: “I hope you respect me: I’m gay,” before his former Spain team-mate Carles Puyol replied: “It’s time to tell our story.”
The tweet was live for more than an hour before being deleted.
Casillas later tweeted: “Hacked account. Luckily everything in order. Apologies to all my followers.”
The tweet added: “Of course, more apologies to the LGBT community.”
Puyol also tweeted an apology, saying: “I have made a mistake. Sorry for a clumsy joke with no bad intentions and totally out of place. All my respect and support for the LGTBIQA+ community.”
Casillas split from his wife Sara Carbonero last March. They have two children.
Few high-profile current or former male players have ever come out as openly gay in the sport.
Earlier this year, teenager Jake Daniels became the first professional in the UK men’s game for more than 30 years to come out while still playing.
The 17-year-old Blackpool player said the decision would allow him to be “free and confident”.
