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

Since revealing his homosexuality in 2021, player Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and abusive messages on social media.

“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” Cavallo states. “No-one wants to read things like that.

“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 appalling.”

Player Cavallo was playing for Adelaide United four years ago when he emerged as the sole publicly out elite soccer player in the world.

This summer he departed from Australia to sign with non-league Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in the sixth division, the sixth tier of the English soccer system.

This young athlete balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by advocating for LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - he has more than one million followers on social media - to promote fairness and acceptance.

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

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

‘Individuals wish to hurt me’

Several years passed for the athlete to build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.

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

Cavallo was twenty-one and making a name for himself 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 didn't know what to expect,” he recalls. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I needed to move forward.”

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

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

Liverpool were among numerous famous teams around the world to show solidarity with the player, with the coach at the time Jurgen Klopp saying: “I appreciate that he did it because it sparks conversation.”

Barcelona defender the athlete also expressed backing, posting online that “the world of football is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United released a comment backing their “remarkable” and “brave” player.

Others, however, were not so accepting.

The footballer quickly became a target of anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.

During early 2022 a competing team were fined five thousand dollars over discriminatory chants from fans directed at the player during a match.

“The comments I encountered were hurtful and disparaging towards LGBTQ people,” 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 an individual who identified him from the media attention.

“That was a scary moment,” he recalls. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is happening - people want to harm me’.

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

“I hope that future individuals who reveals their orientation while playing football at a professional standard won't face the journey I have endured.”

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

“It's disappointing because I must justify 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?’.

“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 gets to see much of what occurs behind the scenes.”

‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’

Cavallo's decision to reveal his sexuality helped prompt teenage Blackpool forward another athlete to come out as the UK's only openly gay active male professional footballer in spring 2022.

Nevertheless, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the Premier League.

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

“But I must be honest. There are a lot of scary things that would await this individual. Within soccer culture, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”

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

“You just need to go to a match and observe the hostile environment and masculinity that the crowd brings,” he explains.

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

“Progress has been limited (more players coming out) as frequently as desired.

“My role is to continue advocating for principles I believe in, and work towards eliminating the toxic masculinity in football changing rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

Cavallo says football has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.

However, he is critical of Fifa, after Qatar, where same-sex relationships are against the law, staged the global tournament in 2022.

Future World Cup is scheduled in another Gulf state, where same-sex attraction is also illegal.

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

“I receive communications [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.

“Certain nations that are huge in terms of football and they reject LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”

Nevertheless, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.

“Soccer has enabled dialogue in the changing room. It has allowed me to speak and educate people who want to learn more.

“Not everyone is going to like you for your identity. But I've discovered support. I have found my community.

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