Spanish footballer Alberto Lejárraga celebrates marriage in historic moment for LGBTQ+ representation
July 31, 2025Alberto Lejárraga, a goalkeeper for UD San Sebastián de los Reyes and the only openly gay male footballer in Spain, has celebrated his marriage to his husband, Ruben Fernandez, marking a significant milestone for LGBTQ+ visibility and inclusion in Spanish sports.
The couple exchanged vows in June 2025 at Hacienda Las Fuentes, a picturesque venue located between Málaga and Marbella on the southern coast of Spain. The ceremony was attended by friends and family, who joined in celebrating the joyous occasion.
Lejárraga, who publicly came out in 2023 while playing for Marbella Fútbol Club, has shared several photos from the wedding on social media, expressing his gratitude for the support he and Fernandez have received.
"Almost three weeks since these moments, undoubtedly some of the best of our lives!" Lejárraga wrote in a heartfelt post, translated from Spanish by Pink News. "We're writing this post to share all of this, but above all to say thank you. To thank the people who joined us that day. To thank all of you who took a moment to congratulate us. To thank you, ultimately, to those of you who are so happy we were able to experience such a wonderful day!"
The wedding party featured charming details, including groomsmen sporting bow ties adorned with football player motifs.
Lejárraga's marriage is a watershed moment, as he is the only active, out gay male football player in Spain to marry another man. Robbie Rogers, another prominent gay footballer, married his husband Greg Berlanti in 2017, but did so after his retirement. Josh Cavallo, an Australian footballer who recently announced his move to the UK, is also engaged to his boyfriend.
Lejárraga's openness about his sexuality has been widely praised. When he came out, the 28-year-old shared a photo of himself kissing Fernandez, with the caption: "Thank you so much for always being by my side, during the good and the bad. Now it's our turn to live it up."
Currently, there are only six openly gay male professional footballers worldwide, making Lejárraga's visibility all the more crucial in promoting inclusivity and acceptance within the sport.