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“You don't belong on this earth” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Stop breathing.”

Since revealing he was gay in 2021, footballer Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and abusive messages on online platforms.

“When I first saw these messages, I was devastated,” Cavallo states. “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 face criticism due to my identity. It's disgusting.”

Player Cavallo was at Adelaide United back in 2020 when he emerged as the sole publicly out top-flight male professional footballer in the world.

Recently he left Australia to sign with non-league Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in the sixth division, one level below of English football.

This young athlete balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by advocating for inclusion matters and leveraging his platform - he has more than one million followers on social media - to champion equality and acceptance.

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

“I don't go more than a week without encountering problems.”

‘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.

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

The player was twenty-one and building his reputation at Adelaide United in the premier division when, with the support of his team-mates, he publicly came out.

“The future was uncertain. I didn't know what to expect,” he recalls. “It felt like the right time in my life. I needed to move forward.”

The heartfelt revelation clip, entitled ‘Josh's Truth’, gained massive attention on digital platforms.

“My phone was flooded with encouraging words. It was overwhelming.”

A prominent club were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to express support for the player, with then manager Jurgen Klopp saying: “I'm really thankful that he did it because now we talk again.”

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also offered support, writing on social media that “soccer culture is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club released a comment supporting their “remarkable” and “brave” player.

Some people, however, were not so accepting.

The footballer quickly became a subject to anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.

In January 2022 a competing team were fined five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from spectators aimed toward the player during a match.

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

“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”

A scary event occurred at a gas station in Australia, where Cavallo was physically attacked by an individual who identified him from the media attention.

“It was terrifying,” he remembers. “I remember thinking ‘this is real - individuals intend to hurt me’.

“Is it acceptable? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, this is what it brings.

“My wish is that future individuals who comes out while competing in soccer at a high level won't face the path I have experienced.”

The player says the constant menacing messages and hostile communications have taken a toll on his psychological well-being.

“It's quite sad because I am having to explain why I deserve a place on the soccer pitch for my identity,” he states.

“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.

“Many individuals see me as a smiling, positive person. But sometimes when I rely on my partner, Leighton, and he gets to see a lot that happens behind the scenes.”

‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’

The player's choice to disclose his orientation helped inspire teenage Blackpool forward Jake Daniels to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay playing soccer professional in May 2022.

Nevertheless, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the top English division.

“It would create massive change,” says the footballer on the impact a Premier League player coming out would make.

“But I must be honest. There are a lot of scary things that would come this person's way. Within soccer culture, being an openly gay player is a highly hostile environment.”

Over two decades after a pioneering player - the UK's initial out soccer professional - died by suicide in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “harmful male culture” that persists in professional soccer.

“You just need to go to a game and observe the unfriendly atmosphere and male-dominated culture that the crowd brings,” he explains.

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

“Progress has been limited (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as frequently as desired.

“My role is to continue advocating for principles I believe in, and strive for taking out the toxic masculinity in soccer locker rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘I'm here to create change’

Cavallo says football has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about coming out.

Yet, he is disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, after Qatar, where homosexual partnerships are against the law, staged the global tournament 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 countries that criminalise same-sex marriages, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for just existing on that land? It's frightening,” states the athlete.

“I get messages [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison 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 huge in terms of football and they don't accept the queer community. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”

Despite this, the footballer says he will not stop speaking up.

“Football has enabled dialogue in the locker room. It lets me communicate and inform individuals who want to learn more.

“Not everyone is going to like you for your identity. But I have found my family. I've connected with similar people.

“My purpose is to create change. That's my objective.”