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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 faced constant threats and abusive messages on social media.

“When I first saw these messages, I was devastated,” the player explains. “Nobody should have to endure such words.

“I'm trying to get better as a player and be the best I can be on the pitch, and then get put down due to my identity. It's appalling.”

Player the sportsman was at Adelaide United back in 2020 when he emerged as the sole publicly out elite soccer player in the world.

This summer he departed from Australia to sign with lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, one level below of the English soccer system.

This young athlete balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by advocating for inclusion matters and using his profile - he has more than one million followers on Instagram - to champion equality and inclusion.

“Absolutely, we've got mountains to do,” the footballer says when questioned about ongoing issues with discrimination.

“Rarely a week passes without hearing about an issue.”

‘People want to harm me’

Several years passed for the athlete to build up the bravery to say “I'm gay” before revealing his sexuality on October 27th, 2021.

“All I want to do is play football and receive fair treatment,” he said in an accompanying video.

Cavallo was twenty-one and making a name for himself at his Australian club in the premier division when, backed by his colleagues, he publicly came out.

“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.”

The heartfelt revelation clip, titled ‘His Personal Story’, gained massive attention on digital platforms.

“My mobile phone exploded with encouraging words. The response was incredible.”

A prominent club were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to express support for Cavallo, with the coach at the time the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he did it because now we talk again.”

Spanish player the athlete also offered support, writing on social media that “the world of football is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United issued a statement supporting their “remarkable” and “brave” player.

Some people, however, were not so accepting.

The footballer quickly became a target of homophobic abuse by rival supporters.

During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were penalized A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from spectators directed at the player during a game.

“The things I'd hear were hurtful and derogatory towards my community,” he says.

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

A scary event occurred at a petrol station in Australia, where Cavallo was assaulted by someone who recognised him from the media attention.

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

“Should this be tolerated? Definitely not. But by coming out, these are the consequences.

“My wish is that future individuals who comes out while playing football at a professional standard doesn't have to experience the path I have endured.”

Cavallo says the constant menacing messages and hostile communications have affected his psychological well-being.

“It's disappointing because I am having to explain why I deserve a place on the football field for being who I am,” he states.

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

“A lot of people see me as a cheerful, positive person. But there are days when I rely on my partner, his name, and he witnesses a lot that happens behind the scenes.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

The player's choice to disclose his orientation helped prompt teenage attacking player another athlete to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay playing soccer professional in May 2022.

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

“It would create massive change,” comments Cavallo on the impact a elite athlete coming out would have.

“But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would come this person's way. In the world of football, identifying as LGBTQ is a highly hostile environment.”

Over two decades after Justin Fashanu - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - died by suicide in 1998, the current athlete has spoken about the “toxic masculinity” that persists in professional soccer.

“Simply attend to a match and observe the hostile environment and masculinity that the audience creates,” he says.

“Much remains to be done to make sure there is a secure environment in soccer for individuals like me and his colleague.

“Progress has been limited (more players coming out) as much as we would like.

“I can only keep pushing for what I think is right, and work towards taking out the harmful male norms in football changing rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

The player says soccer has allowed him to have conversations within team environments about coming out.

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

Future World Cup will be held in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is also illegal.

“Am I impressed that the global championship is in nations that criminalise same-sex marriages, where individuals like myself will be imprisoned for merely living on that land? It's frightening,” says Cavallo.

“I receive communications [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I face imprisonment for being who I am - is assistance possible?’.

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

“There are countries that are significant soccer markets and they reject LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”

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

“Football has allowed me to start conversations in the changing room. It lets me communicate and inform individuals who seek understanding.

“Some will disapprove for who you are. But I have found my family. I've connected with similar people.

“My mission is to drive progress. That's my objective.”