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

Since revealing his homosexuality in 2021, footballer Josh Cavallo has received daily death threats and abusive messages on social media.

“Upon reading those comments, it broke my heart,” 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 during matches, and then face criticism due to my identity. It's disgusting.”

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

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

The 25-year-old 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 inclusion.

“Definitely, there's enormous work ahead,” Cavallo says 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’

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 21 and building his reputation at his Australian club in the premier division when, with the support of his team-mates, 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 messages of support. 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 took this step 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 his former club released a comment supporting their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.

Others, however, were less welcoming.

The footballer soon turned into a subject to anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.

During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from spectators directed at the player during a match.

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

“I didn't react because I knew that would only feed the haters.”

There was a frightening incident at a gas station in Australia, where Cavallo was assaulted 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? Absolutely not. But by coming out, these are the consequences.

“I hope that the next person who reveals their orientation while playing football at a high level won't face the path I have endured.”

The player says the daily death threats and hostile communications have taken a toll on his mental health.

“It's disappointing because I must justify why I belong on the football field for being who I am,” he says.

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

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

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

The player's choice to disclose his orientation helped prompt 17-year-old Blackpool forward another athlete to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay active male professional footballer in May 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 make.

“But I must be honest. There are a lot of scary things that would come this person's way. Within soccer culture, identifying as LGBTQ is a highly hostile environment.”

Over two decades after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - died by suicide in 1998, the current athlete has spoken about the “harmful male culture” that persists in professional soccer.

“You just need to go to a game and see the hostile environment and male-dominated culture that the crowd brings,” he says.

“Much remains to be done to ensure there is a secure environment in soccer for people like myself and Jake.

“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 strive for eliminating the toxic masculinity in football changing rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘I'm here to create change’

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

However, he is critical of Fifa, after Qatar, where homosexual partnerships are against the law, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.

The 2034 tournament will be held in another Gulf state, where same-sex attraction is similarly prohibited.

“Am I impressed that the global championship is in countries that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be imprisoned for just existing on their territory? It's scary,” states the athlete.

“I receive communications [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for my identity - can you help me?’.

“It breaks my heart that people are getting locked up for being who they are.

“There are countries that are significant soccer markets and they reject the queer community. These places that tend to target me.”

Nevertheless, the footballer 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 seek understanding.

“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 what I'm here for.”