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

After announcing his homosexuality in 2021, player Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and hateful comments on online platforms.

“When I first saw these messages, I was devastated,” Cavallo explains. “No-one wants to read things like that.

“I'm trying to get better as a player and reach my full potential on the pitch, and then face criticism because of who I am. It's appalling.”

Midfielder the sportsman was at 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 compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, one level below of English football.

The 25-year-old balances his sports career for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by speaking up on inclusion matters and leveraging his platform - he has more than one million followers on social media - to champion equality and acceptance.

“Definitely, there's enormous work ahead,” the footballer says when questioned about ongoing issues with homophobia.

“Rarely a week passes without hearing about an issue.”

‘Individuals wish to hurt me’

Several years passed for Cavallo to work up the courage to say “I'm gay” before coming out on 27 October 2021.

“My only desire is compete in soccer and receive fair treatment,” he stated in an accompanying video.

The player was twenty-one and making a name for himself at Adelaide United in Australia's top flight 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, entitled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral on digital platforms.

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

Liverpool were among numerous famous teams around the world to show solidarity with the player, with then manager Jurgen Klopp saying: “I'm really thankful that he did it because now we talk again.”

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

Some people, however, were not so accepting.

The footballer soon turned into a target of anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.

During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were penalized five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from fans directed at the player during a game.

“The comments I encountered were painful and disparaging towards my community,” he says.

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

There was a frightening incident at a petrol 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? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, these are the consequences.

“My wish is that the next person who comes out while playing football at a high level won't face the path I have endured.”

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

“It's disappointing because I am having to explain why I belong on the football field for my identity,” he says.

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

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

‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’

Cavallo's decision to disclose his orientation helped inspire teenage attacking player another athlete to come out as the UK's only openly gay active male professional footballer in May 2022.

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

“It would move mountains,” says the footballer on the effect a Premier League player coming out would have.

“But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. Within soccer culture, identifying as LGBTQ is a very toxic place.”

Twenty-seven years after a pioneering player - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - took his own life in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “toxic masculinity” that persists in professional soccer.

“You just need to go to a game and observe the unfriendly atmosphere and masculinity that the audience creates,” he explains.

“Much remains to be done to ensure there is a safe space in soccer for individuals like me and Jake.

“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 work towards taking out 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 inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.

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.

Future World Cup is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where same-sex attraction is also illegal.

“Do I approve that the global championship is in countries that criminalise same-sex marriages, where individuals like myself will be imprisoned for merely living on that land? It's scary,” states Cavallo.

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

“It's devastating that individuals are incarcerated for being who they are.

“There are countries that are huge in terms of football and they reject the queer community. These places that often focus on me.”

Despite this, Cavallo says he won't cease advocating.

“Football has enabled dialogue in the changing room. It lets me communicate and educate people 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 what I'm here for.”