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

Since revealing his homosexuality in 2021, footballer Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and hateful comments on online platforms.

“Upon reading those comments, it broke my heart,” Cavallo states. “Nobody should have to endure such words.

“I'm working to improve my skills and be the best I can be on the pitch, and then get put down because of who I am. It's appalling.”

Midfielder the sportsman was playing for Adelaide United back in 2020 when he became the only openly gay elite soccer player in the world.

This summer he departed from Australia to sign with non-league Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in the sixth division, one level below of the English soccer system.

The 25-year-old combines playing for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by advocating for LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on social media - to champion equality and acceptance.

“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” Cavallo comments when questioned about ongoing issues with homophobia.

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

‘Individuals wish to hurt me’

It took years for Cavallo to work up the courage to say “I'm gay” before revealing his sexuality on October 27th, 2021.

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

Cavallo was twenty-one and building his reputation at his Australian club in the premier division when, backed by his colleagues, he publicly came out.

“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he recalls. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I needed to move forward.”

His emotional coming out video, titled ‘Josh's Truth’, went viral on digital platforms.

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

A prominent club were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to show solidarity with Cavallo, with the coach at the time Jurgen Klopp saying: “I appreciate that he took this step because now we talk again.”

Spanish player the athlete also expressed backing, posting online that “the world of football is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United released a comment backing their “remarkable” and “courageous” player.

Others, however, were less welcoming.

The footballer quickly became a subject to anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.

In January 2022 a competing team were fined five thousand dollars over discriminatory chants from fans directed at Cavallo during a game.

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

“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”

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

“It was terrifying,” he remembers. “I remember thinking ‘this is happening - people want to harm me’.

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

“I hope that the next person who reveals their orientation while playing football at a high level doesn't have to experience the journey I have endured.”

The player says the daily death threats and hostile communications have affected his psychological well-being.

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

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

“Many individuals see me as a cheerful, positive person. But sometimes when I lean on my fiance, his name, and he gets to see much of what occurs behind the scenes.”

‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’

The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped inspire teenage Blackpool forward Jake Daniels to announce he was gay as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in May 2022.

Nevertheless, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the top English division.

“It would create massive change,” says Cavallo on the effect a Premier League player coming out would have.

“But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would come this person's way. Within soccer culture, identifying as LGBTQ is a very toxic place.”

Twenty-seven years after Justin Fashanu - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - took his own life in 1998, Cavallo has discussed the “harmful male culture” that persists in professional soccer.

“Simply attend to a game and see the unfriendly atmosphere and masculinity that the crowd brings,” he explains.

“There is still a lot of work to ensure there is a secure environment in football for people like myself 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 eliminating the toxic masculinity in soccer locker rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘I'm here to create change’

Cavallo says soccer has allowed him to have conversations inside dressing rooms about coming out.

Yet, he is disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, after Qatar, 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 also illegal.

“Am I impressed that the global championship is in nations that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be put in prison for just existing on that land? It's frightening,” says Cavallo.

“I get messages [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for being who I am - can you help me?’.

“It's devastating that people are getting locked up for being who they are.

“Certain nations that are significant soccer markets and they reject LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that often focus on me.”

Despite this, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.

“Soccer has allowed me to start conversations in the changing room. It has allowed me to speak and inform individuals who seek understanding.

“Some will disapprove 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.”