A milestone moment in men’s soccer recently unfolded on Spain’s Costa del Sol, as Alberto Lejarraga, a goalkeeper competing in Spain’s football leagues, married his husband, actor and musician Ruben Fernandez. The wedding, held in June 2025, was marked by heartfelt celebrations with friends and family, and carried symbolic nods to Lejarraga’s career on the pitch, including bow ties worn by groomsmen featuring a cartoon goalkeeper making a save and a seating plan designed like a mini grass pitch.
Lejarraga’s wedding goes beyond a private celebration; it represents one of the first occasions where an openly gay male professional or semi-professional footballer has married while still active in the sport. This is notable in a football culture historically hesitant to embrace gay visibility among male players. The last widely recognised case was Robbie Rogers, who publicly came out as gay in 2013 but only married his husband, Greg Berlanti, after retiring in 2017. Lejarraga, by contrast, remains an active player, currently signed with Union Deportiva San Sebastián de los Reyes in Spain’s fourth tier after notable success with Marbella FC.
Lejarraga first came out publicly in April 2023, sharing photos on social media of himself kissing Fernandez following Marbella FC’s promotion to the Segunda B division, then the third tier of Spanish football. The post struck a chord far beyond the football community, generating international media interest and widespread praise for its authenticity and bravery. Lejarraga’s gesture resonated powerfully in a sport where openly gay male players remain rare, marking him as a role model for both teammates and fans. He spoke candidly in the media about facing homophobia in football but expressed no regrets about his decision to be open about his sexuality.
Reflecting on the impact of his coming out, Lejarraga told Spanish broadcaster TVE that continuing to hide his relationship would have been unfair to both himself and Fernandez. He hopes his openness will inspire others, particularly young gay or bisexual players, to feel less isolated. Speaking to Diversa Revista, he said, ‘If my gesture helped one kid feel a little more free, then it was worth it,’ and expressed the hope that one day such visibility would no longer be necessary because the sport would have truly moved past these barriers.
Lejarraga’s career achievements reinforce his significance beyond his personal milestones. By the end of the 2023/24 season, he had helped Marbella FC secure promotion to the Primera Federación, Spain’s highest semi-professional division, and amassed over 100 appearances with a record of over 50 clean sheets. His recent move back to Madrid symbolizes both a return home and a new chapter of his career. Alongside his athletic commitments, Lejarraga has increasingly embraced advocacy work, appearing in a TV documentary during Pride Month that highlights the experiences of LGBTQ+ athletes across various disciplines in Spain.
As he and Fernandez embark on their honeymoon in Japan, Lejarraga carries a message of hope and visibility for LGBTQ+ acceptance in football. His journey illustrates both the challenges and progress in making men’s soccer a more inclusive space. The wedding ceremony on the Costa del Sol was not only a celebration of love but also a symbol of the continuing evolution toward diversity and acceptance in sport.
Source: Noah Wire Services
TOP EVENTS
TOP EVENTS
