Pro soccer players Keita Balde and Patricio Gabarrón Gil (a.k.a. Patric) both play for the Italian soccer club Lazio. On Sunday, they had everyone talking when they posted this photo their social media pages:
???????@keitabalde14 pic.twitter.com/KLOsQEpErB
— patric_4 (@patric_6) June 4, 2017
As you can see, the photo shows the guys in their swim trunks holding hands by the poolside. It left many people wondering if perhaps they are couple… or maybe they’re playing a joke… or maybe it’s just some good, old-fashioned bromance?
Commenters quickly took notice.
“If Keita is gay then fair play for coming out,” one person wrote. “Very bold. Sets a good message for other homosexual players that it’s okay to come out.”
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“Wow very brave of you guys, could be a watershed moment for gay men in the sport,” another person said. “Much respect.”
“Massive statement, one in this day and age shouldn’t be necessary,” a third person wrote. “But fair play for being honest. Best of luck to ye. Sign for Liverpool.”
Here’s another photo of them posted on social media last month:
???? pic.twitter.com/i0vDxIqviz
— patric_4 (@patric_6) May 16, 2017
Jim Buzinski at Outsports pontificates:
The red heart and the two male emojis — one black and one white — could suggest that they are a gay or bisexual couple, but neither followed up with any detail or responded to comments on the post. I tweeted some questions to both that have so far gone unanswered.
Then this morning, the guys took things a step further when they shared another picture, this one explaining that they aren’t just a couple, they’re a throuple with some dude named Sadok Moumni Chamlali:
???? pic.twitter.com/RLOFaQ8N06
— patric_4 (@patric_6) June 5, 2017
Hmmm. We’re not quite sure what to make of all this, but we’ll definitely keep you abreast with any developments.
Bob LaBlah
I would have preferred orange/lime green speedos or better yet thongs. But hey, its THEIR statement being made, not mine.
Xzamilloh
I would LOVE to see that relationship play out… everywhere.
alterego1980
My best guess is they are just having fun with their BFF status. The follow up post really cements it. But hey, good for them. Both very good looking guys.
Bryguyf69
They’re probably just straight j/o buddies. Very popular these days. I had 4 of them when I lived in Rome for a year. Our girlfriends were all for it since they often weren’t around. No emotions or even much attraction, but it sure was fun. Gays and straight men are mostly identical physiologically, so we all reach orgasm by stimulating the same nerves. A warm hand is a warm hand if you don’t care about emotions or attraction.
Gregg
Helloooo. Doesn’t the gaydar go off for Balde for anyone else? lol
Bryguyf69
@Gregg
Jean-Daniel Cadinot…? 🙂
mcflyer54
Regardless of their personal relationship status the message of inclusion is a positive one so good for them. Hope they remain friends for life.
Bryguyf69
Brian’s Song with Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers…?
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“In 1967, Sayers and Bears teammate Brian Piccolo became the first interracial roommates in the NFL. Sayers’ ensuing friendship with Piccolo and Piccolo’s struggle with cancer…became the subject of the made-for-TV movie Brian’s Song. … A notable aspect of Sayers’ friendship with Piccolo, a white man, and the first film’s depiction of their friendship, was its effect on race relations. The first film was made in the wake of racial riots, escalating racial tensions fueled by Martin Luther King’s assassination, and charges of discrimination across the nation. Sayers and Piccolo were devoted friends and deeply respectful of and affectionate with each other. Piccolo helped Sayers through rehabilitation after injury, and Sayers was by Piccolo’s side throughout his illness until his death in June 1970.”
Bryguyf69
“[Piccolo] died in the early morning of June 16 at the age of 26. The month before Piccolo’s death, Gale Sayers was accepting the George S. Halas Award for Most Courageous Player and told the crowd that they had selected the wrong person for the award. He said, ‘I love Brian Piccolo, and I’d like all of you to love him, too. Tonight, when you hit your knees to pray, please ask God to love him, too.’
…[Brian’s Song] It first aired in 1971 on ABC on Tuesday, November 30, less than 18 months after his death, and starred James Caan as Piccolo and Billy Dee Williams as Sayers. It was such a success on television that it was later shown in theaters. A remake aired in 2001 on ABC’s The Wonderful World of Disney and starred Mekhi Phifer and Sean Maher.”
Bryguyf69
I’m not convinced that the first photo from June 4th shows the dudes holding hands. What I see is the Black dude’s fist in the same line of vision as the White dude’s open palm. I can’t even tell if the fist and palm are touching, much less intertwined in handholding. It’s possible that they weren’t holding hands but after the public and media attention, they decided to gay it up for fun, and upload the subsequent photos.
Richard 55
Is this the same Jim Buzinski who expressed concern that people were unreasonably jumping to conclusions about Aaron Hernandez’s reported bisexuality? Spare us, Jim. Outsports needs better writers.
As for these soccer players, good on them for just being themselves. They shouldn’t have to identify as gay or straight. Identity politics is so yesterday.
Kangol
Hot couple or throuple, especially Keita Baldé Diao!
Chris
Keita is forming the American Sign Language sign for “I love you” in his face pic with Patrice. (It’s facing the wrong way, though)
Donston
Predictably shitty comments.
gary69mike
I’d take a soccer player over a football player any day! So Hot!!!
Captain Obvious
I was far more distracted by the fact that the one kid’s shorts are literally devouring his ass. Looks uncomfortable like some invisible guy is giving him a wedgie.