When Nino openly and honestly talked about his sexuality in August this year, he was ‘overloaded with thousands of positive messages’. In his book Ball boy Nino, who comes from a football family, hopes to break taboos in the sports world. ‘In my book Ball boy I am going to investigate to break one of the last football taboos: homosexuality in football.’
Although he finds it ‘terrifying’ to write this, he also feels called at the same time. ‘Precisely because I’m sitting close to the fire and no one else seems to be taking up the gauntlet. In the hope that one day there will be little Nino’s walking around who can just be themselves on and around the football field.’
Ball boy will be available everywhere on March 26, 2024.
In his message earlier this year, in which he openly talks about his homosexuality, Nino writes that he finds it difficult to find his place in the football world. “As many of you know, I come from a football-centric world. Professional football started with my grandfather and there is no family that has produced as much football talent as mine, and I am very proud of that. Partly because of this, I have always found it difficult to find my place and especially to find myself.’ He therefore believes that ‘many steps still need to be taken’ in this industry in terms of acceptance.
It soon becomes apparent that acceptance is indeed hard to find for some. Shortly after his Coming out, Nino is physically harassed on the street. According to him, this is because he is homosexual.
The other Kluivert member, Shane, is also working hard. He recently signed a three-year contract with FC Barcelona:
