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“You don't belong on this earth” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”

Since revealing he was gay in 2021, player Josh Cavallo has received daily death threats and abusive messages on online platforms.

“When I first saw these messages, it broke my heart,” Cavallo states. “No-one wants to read things like that.

“I'm working to improve my skills and be the best I can be during matches, and then face criticism because of who I am. It's appalling.”

Player Cavallo was at Adelaide United back in 2020 when he became the only openly gay elite soccer player in the world.

This summer he left Australia to sign with lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in the sixth division, the sixth tier of the English soccer system.

The 25-year-old balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by advocating for LGBTQ+ issues and using his profile - he has more than one million followers on social media - to promote fairness and inclusion.

“Absolutely, we've got mountains to do,” the footballer says when asked if football still has a problem with discrimination.

“I don't go more than a week without hearing about an issue.”

‘Individuals wish to hurt me’

Several years passed for Cavallo to build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” before coming out on October 27th, 2021.

“My only desire is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he stated in an accompanying video.

Cavallo was twenty-one and building his reputation at his Australian club in Australia's top flight when, with the support of his team-mates, he announced his orientation publicly.

“I didn't know what was ahead. I had no expectations,” he says. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”

His emotional coming out video, entitled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral on social media.

“My mobile phone exploded with messages of support. The response was incredible.”

A prominent club were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for Cavallo, with then manager Jurgen Klopp saying: “I appreciate that he took this step because it sparks conversation.”

Spanish player the athlete also expressed backing, posting online that “soccer culture is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United released a comment supporting their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.

Others, however, were not so accepting.

Cavallo quickly became a subject to homophobic abuse by rival supporters.

In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from spectators aimed toward Cavallo during a match.

“The comments I encountered were painful and disparaging towards LGBTQ people,” he explains.

“I remained calm because I knew that would only feed the haters.”

A scary event occurred at a gas station in Australia, where Cavallo was assaulted by an individual who identified him from the coverage.

“That was a scary moment,” he remembers. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is real - individuals intend to hurt me’.

“Should this be tolerated? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, these are the consequences.

“I hope that the next person who reveals their orientation while playing football at a professional standard won't face the path I have experienced.”

Cavallo says the daily death threats and abusive messages have affected his psychological well-being.

“It's disappointing because I am having to explain why I belong on the soccer pitch for my identity,” he says.

“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.

“A lot of people see me as a smiling, positive person. But sometimes when I rely on my partner, his name, and he gets to see a lot that happens privately.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

Cavallo's decision to disclose his orientation helped prompt 17-year-old Blackpool forward another athlete to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out playing soccer professional in spring 2022.

Nevertheless, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the Premier League.

“It would create massive change,” comments the footballer on the effect a Premier League player revealing their orientation would have.

“But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. Within soccer culture, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”

Over two decades after Justin Fashanu - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - took his own life in 1998, Cavallo has spoken about the “harmful male culture” that still exists in professional soccer.

“You just need to go to a game and see the unfriendly atmosphere and male-dominated culture that the audience creates,” he explains.

“Much remains to be done to ensure there is a safe space in soccer for individuals like me and his colleague.

“We haven't seen it (more players coming out) as frequently as desired.

“I can only keep pushing for what I think is right, and strive for eliminating the harmful male norms in football changing rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

The player says soccer has enabled discussions within team environments about revealing one's orientation.

Yet, he is critical of Fifa, after the Middle Eastern nation, where same-sex relationships are against the law, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.

The 2034 tournament is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where same-sex attraction is similarly prohibited.

“Am I impressed that the World Cup is in nations that ban gay unions, where people like me will be imprisoned for just existing on their territory? It's frightening,” says Cavallo.

“I receive communications [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I face imprisonment for my identity - is assistance possible?’.

“It breaks my heart that individuals are incarcerated for their true selves.

“There are countries that are huge in terms of football and they reject LGBTQ+ people. These places that often focus on me.”

Despite this, Cavallo says he won't cease advocating.

“Football has allowed me to start conversations in the locker room. It has allowed me to speak and educate people who want to learn more.

“Not everyone is going to like you for who you are. But I've discovered support. I've connected with similar people.

“My mission is to create change. That's what I'm here for.”