Footballer, 23, makes history after coming out as gay

Callum Vurley
Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:31:37 +0000

Ignacio "Nacho" Lago has made history as the first active professional footballer in Argentina to publicly come out as gay.

The 23-year-old forward plays for Club Atletico Colon in Argentina's second division, and a clip from an interview last season has recently gone viral across social media.

The emotional footage, originally filmed for the club's media show 'Sangre y Luto', shows Lago reacting to a surprise video message from his partner Gonzalo.

Though Lago hasn't formally described the moment as a "coming out", the clip has sparked an enormous wave of support both in Argentina and internationally.

In the touching clip, Gonzalo called Lago an "excellent person and an excellent professional" while thanking him for "defending the colours of my city".

Lago was clearly moved by the surprise message, and his response captured hearts everywhere.

"It's an irrational love, we experience it this way, just like with football," he said.

"We're obsessed, and we try to express what we feel."

The couple's relationship had apparently been known to Colon's fanbase for some time before the clip gained wider attention.

It's a beautifully honest moment that shows just how much the pair mean to each other.

South American football has long been associated with a deep-rooted culture of machismo and homophobia, making Lago's openness a genuine breakthrough for the sport in Argentina.

The only other notable instance of a player coming out was regional league goalkeeper Nicolás Fernández back in 2020, but Lago is considered the first at the top-tier professional level.

The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with supporters, fans and even politicians praising his bravery and the importance of representation.

Argentina legalised same-sex marriage in 2010, yet visibility in elite men's football has lagged behind – until now.

[DEPORTES] "La hizo bien": "Nacho" Lago, figura de Colón de Santa Fe, recibió una "sorpresa" de su novio en medio de una entrevista, lo presentó y se emocionó. 🫶

📹 @AiredeSantaFe https://t.co/fxpLA6JsG5 pic.twitter.com/C0sQl8s78N
— ElCanciller.com (@elcancillercom) April 6, 2026

Lago came through the youth academy at Club Almirante Brown before making his professional debut on 10 February 2018 – remarkably, at just 15 years old.

His talent earned him a move to top-flight side Talleres de Córdoba in September 2020, though he later headed to Mexico's Tlaxcala FC on loan in search of more game time, where he bagged five goals in 16 appearances.

After successful loan stints at San Martín de San Juan and Atlético de Rafaela, he joined Colón and quickly became a key player, signing permanently last season.

The dynamic winger is currently recovering from injury as his side sit top of the Primera Nacional after eight games, chasing promotion to the top flight.