In a tweet published on Sunday afternoon, the ex-goalkeeper said: "I hope you respect me: I'm gay."
Legendary goalkeeper Iker Casillas has announced on social media that he is gay.
It would make the former Real Madrid and Spain star one of the most high-profile male footballers in history to confirm their homosexuality.
In a tweet published on Sunday afternoon, the ex-goalkeeper said: "I hope you respect me: I'm gay."
Casillas was married to sports journalist Sara Carbonero for five years before their separation in March 2021, having had two children together, both boys, reports The Mirror.
The 41-year-old football legend has received a wave of support following the Twitter post, including from former Spain teammate, Carles Puyol.
Casillas retired in 2020 after suffering a cardiac arrest during training with final club Porto.
Regarded as one of football's most successful goalkeepers, Casillas won one World Cup, two European Championships, five La Liga titles and three Champions Leagues in a distinguished senior career which spanned 22 years.
Between 2004 and 2008, Casillas dated the winner of a beauty pageant, Eva Gonzalez. Soon after their split, Casillas began dating Carbonero.
Their first son, Martin, now eight, was born in Madrid on January 3, 2014. In November the following year, the couple announced that they were expecting their second child.
The couple married on June 2, 2016, but five years later, in March 2021, they announced their separation, urging the public "to respect our privacy in this moment of change".