Iker Casillas deletes ‘coming out’ tweet with reports claiming it was a joke

The tweet has now disappeared

Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has deleted a tweet which many had assumed was a coming out announcement - with reports in the Spanish media now suggesting it was intended as sarcasm. 'I hope you respect me: I'm gay,' read the message posted on Casillas' Twitter on Sunday afternoon. It was quickly followed by a reply from his former international teammate, ex-Barcelona defender, Carles Puyol, who added it was 'time to tell our story'. According to reports in the Spanish press, the now-deleted tweet may have been an ironic response to dating rumours, following Casillas' split from his wife last year. Casillas announced that he and Sara Carbonero had gone their separate ways in March of last year. The couple were married for five years and have two children together. He has since been romantically linked with a number of women by the media in his homeland. Spanish outlet AS claim that the tweet was a response to recent speculation he's in a relationship with actress Alejandra Onieva. Marca, meanwhile, suggest he sent it after growing tired at persistent rumours about his private life. More football news:

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