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“You shouldn't exist” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”

After announcing his homosexuality in 2021, footballer Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and abusive messages on online platforms.

“Upon reading those comments, it broke my heart,” Cavallo states. “No-one wants to read things like that.

“I'm working to improve my skills and reach my full potential during matches, and then get put down due to my identity. It's disgusting.”

Midfielder Cavallo was playing for Adelaide United back in 2020 when he emerged as the sole publicly out elite soccer player in the world.

This summer he left Australia to sign with non-league Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in the sixth division, the sixth tier of English football.

This young athlete balances his sports career for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and acceptance.

“Definitely, there's enormous work ahead,” Cavallo comments when asked if football still has a problem with homophobia.

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

‘Individuals wish to hurt me’

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

“My only desire is play football and be treated equally,” he stated in an related clip.

The player was twenty-one and building his reputation at Adelaide United in Australia's top flight when, backed by his colleagues, he publicly came out.

“The future was uncertain. I didn't know what to expect,” he says. “It felt like the right time in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”

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

“My mobile phone exploded with messages of support. It was overwhelming.”

Liverpool were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to show solidarity with the player, with the coach at the time Jurgen Klopp saying: “I'm really thankful that he did it because it sparks conversation.”

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also offered support, writing on social media that “the world of football is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while his former club released a comment backing their “remarkable” and “brave” player.

Some people, however, were less welcoming.

Cavallo quickly became a target of homophobic abuse by rival supporters.

In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined five thousand dollars over discriminatory chants from spectators aimed toward Cavallo during a game.

“The things I'd hear were hurtful and disparaging towards LGBTQ people,” he explains.

“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”

There was a frightening incident at a gas station in Australia, where the athlete was physically attacked by an individual who identified him from the coverage.

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

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

“I hope that the next person who reveals their orientation while competing in soccer at a professional standard won't face the journey I have experienced.”

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

“It's quite sad because I am having to explain why I belong on the soccer pitch for being who I am,” he states.

“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.

“A lot of people see me as a smiling, positive person. But there are days when I lean on my fiance, Leighton, and he witnesses much of what occurs behind the scenes.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

Cavallo's decision to reveal his sexuality helped inspire 17-year-old Blackpool forward another athlete to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out playing soccer professional in May 2022.

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

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

“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. There are a lot of scary things that would come this person's way. In the world of football, 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 spoken about the “toxic masculinity” that persists in professional soccer.

“Simply attend to a game and observe the unfriendly atmosphere and male-dominated culture that the audience creates,” he explains.

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

“We haven't seen it (more players coming out) as much as we would like.

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

‘I'm here to create change’

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

Yet, he is critical of soccer's global governing body, after the Middle Eastern nation, where same-sex relationships are against the law, staged the global tournament in 2022.

Future World Cup is scheduled in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.

“Am I impressed that the World Cup is in nations that ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for just existing on that land? It's scary,” states the athlete.

“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 people are getting locked up for their true selves.

“Certain nations that are huge in terms of football and they don't accept the queer community. Those are the countries that often focus on me.”

Despite this, the footballer says he won't cease advocating.

“Football has enabled dialogue in the changing room. It lets me communicate and educate people who seek understanding.

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

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