Iker Casillas DELETES his tweet which announced that he was coming out as gay, in an apparent ‘JOKE’

Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has deleted a tweet from his account which seemingly announced he was coming out as gay.

The Spaniard, who made 275 appearances for Los Blancos, took to social media at 1.25pm on Sunday to make the announcement and asked for ‘respect’ from his followers – before deleting the tweet and claiming at 3.36pm that he had been hacked.

It comes after Casillas’ split from ex-wife Sara Carbonero back in March 2021 – following five years of marriage – with reports in Spain suggesting that the tweet was a joke in response to rumours about his post-divorce dating life.

In a blunt statement, the World Cup winner tweeted: ‘I hope you respect me: I’m gay. #happysunday’. The post has since been deleted.

Shortly after Casillas’ post, former rival and national team-mate Carles Puyol in a now also deleted tweet, wrote: ‘It’s time to tell our story, Iker’ with a heart and kiss emoji. Puyol has two children with girlfriend Vanesa Lorenzo. 

After deleting his first tweet, Casillas wrote: ‘Hacked account. Luckily everything in order. Apologies to all my followers. And of course, more apologies to the LGBT community.’

Spanish outlet AS meanwhile suggested the original tweet was in response to rumours that he’s in a possible relationship with Alejandra Onieva – the ex-sister-in-law of Spanish TV host Tamara Falcó. 

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has seemingly announced he’s coming out as a gay

The ex-goalkeeper announced his split from wife Sara Carbonero last March 

Iker Casillas said he was ‘hacked’ after an original post in which he appeared to come out as gay, which was replied to by Carles Puyol who wrote: ‘It’s time to tell our story, Iker’

Openly gay Australian footballer Josh Carvalho hit out at the Spanish legends for ‘making fun out of coming out in football’.

The Adelaide United player tweeted: ‘@IkerCasillas and @Carles5Puyol joking and making fun out of coming out in football is disappointing. 

‘It’s a difficult journey that any LGBTQ+ ppl have to go through. To see my role models and legends of the game make fun out of coming out and my community is beyond disrespectful.’

Reports in Spain in recent weeks claim that the Real Madrid legend has been in private with the actress, Onieva, on several occasions.

Murmurs of a possible relationship between the two have been ongoing for a couple of months, but Casillas seems to have shut that down with his recent tweet. 

Other Spanish outlets, such as Marca, suggest that the ex-Madrid star tweeted this as he is tired of couples being attributed to him – which he has grown fairly accustomed to.

Reports say the tweet is a response to rumours that he’s in a relationship with Alejandra Onieva

Just last month, rejected claims that he is dating Shakira – the ex-wife of his long-time Spain team-mate Gerard Pique. 

Casillas had recently finalised his divorce from Spanish sports journalist Sara Carbonero, when rumours circulated that he was seeing the Colombian pop star after her recent separation from Barcelona defender Pique. 

The 41-year-old’s recent follow of Shakira on Instagram had fuelled speculation on the nature of the pair’s relationship, but Casillas took to social media to rubbish the rumours. 

Former Spanish star Iker Casillas (pictured with his ex-wife, left) has denied claims he is dating Gerard Pique’s ex Shakira (pictured together, right)

Casillas ended his marriage in 2021 after five years and two children with journalist Sara Carbonero. 

They famously shared enjoyed a romantic moment on live television when Carbonero interviewed the goalkeeper just moments after he had won the World Cup with Spain. However, ended things amicably after twelve years together. 

He has since been linked with a number of famous names including, Rocío Osorno, Alejandra Onieva, María José Camacho and Melyssa Pinto. 

Casillas enjoyed a spectacular playing career, winning a World Cup and two Euros with Spain