Alberto Lejárraga, the only publicly out gay male footballer currently playing in men’s soccer in Spain, has made headlines once again—this time for something far more romantic than a save on the pitch.
The goalkeeper recently tied the knot with his partner, actor and musician Ruben Fernandez, in a stunning wedding ceremony held on Spain’s picturesque Costa del Sol.
In a sweet and personal nod to his profession, all of Lejárraga’s groomsmen wore cartoon goalkeeper bow ties, and the wedding breakfast seating plan was displayed on a mini grass pitch.
The couple shared heartfelt moments from the big day on social media, where Ruben described the occasion as being “filled with emotions and tears of happiness.”
The newlyweds are currently honeymooning in Japan, but Lejárraga has also taken time to reflect on the broader meaning of their celebration and its place in the sporting world.
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While other male footballers, like Robbie Rogers, have come out and later married their partners, Lejárraga is believed to be the first male pro or semi-pro footballer to marry another man while still actively playing the game.
Lejárraga came out publicly in April 2023 after posting a photo of himself kissing Fernandez online, with a message of thanks for his partner’s love and support.
He hadn’t planned to make a public declaration, but the moment celebrating Marbella FC’s promotion to the Segunda B division unexpectedly went viral.
The media response surprised him and Fernandez, but they embraced the opportunity to stand for diversity, naturalness, and love with “utmost sensitivity.”
Since then, Lejárraga has continued to speak out about his experience as a gay man in football, including challenges with homophobia and the pressure of staying closeted.
“I feel like it wouldn’t be fair to myself, and especially to my partner, to continue hiding,” he said in an interview with Spanish outlet TVE.
After a successful season and reaching his 100th appearance with Marbella FC in December 2024, Lejárraga signed a one-year contract extension before transferring to UD Sanse, a club closer to his hometown of Madrid.
He’s also grown into a visible LGBTQ+ advocate, appearing in the documentary The Courage to be Visible alongside other queer Spanish athletes during Pride Month.
Reflecting on the journey, he told Diversa Revista: “If my gesture helped one kid feel a little more free, then it was worth it.”
Lejárraga hopes that future generations won’t need to “come out” at all—that visibility and authenticity will simply be part of the game.
Until then, his message of love, honesty, and acceptance continues to resonate far beyond the goalposts.
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