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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, footballer Josh Cavallo has received daily death threats and hateful comments on online platforms.

“When I first saw these messages, 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 because of who I am. It's disgusting.”

Player the sportsman was playing for Adelaide United four years ago when he emerged as the sole publicly out top-flight male professional footballer in the world.

Recently he departed from Australia to join non-league Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in the sixth division, one level below of the English soccer system.

This young athlete combines playing for the semi-professional team by speaking up on inclusion matters and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on social media - to promote fairness and acceptance.

“Absolutely, we've got mountains to do,” Cavallo says when questioned about ongoing issues with homophobia.

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

‘Individuals wish to hurt me’

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

“All I want to do is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he said in an accompanying video.

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 publicly came out.

“I didn't know what was ahead. I didn't know what to expect,” he says. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I needed to move forward.”

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

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

Liverpool were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for Cavallo, with the coach at the time the German manager saying: “I'm really thankful that he did it because it sparks conversation.”

Spanish player Gerard Pique also expressed backing, posting online that “soccer culture is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United released a comment supporting their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.

Some people, however, were less welcoming.

Cavallo soon turned into a subject to anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.

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

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

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

A scary event occurred at a gas station in Australia, where the athlete was assaulted by someone who recognised him from the coverage.

“It was terrifying,” he recalls. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is happening - individuals intend to hurt me’.

“Is it acceptable? Definitely not. But through my disclosure, these are the consequences.

“I hope that future individuals 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 taken a toll on his mental health.

“It's quite sad because I must justify why I deserve a place on the soccer pitch for being who I am,” he states.

“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.

“Many individuals see me as a smiling, positive person. But there are days when I rely on my partner, his name, and he witnesses much of what occurs behind the scenes.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

The player's choice to disclose his orientation helped inspire 17-year-old Blackpool forward Jake Daniels to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay active male professional footballer in May 2022.

However, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the Premier League.

“It would move mountains,” comments the footballer on the impact a elite athlete coming out would make.

“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. There are a lot of scary things that would await this individual. Within soccer culture, identifying as LGBTQ is a highly hostile environment.”

Twenty-seven years after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - died by suicide in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “toxic masculinity” that still exists in professional soccer.

“Simply attend to a match and observe the hostile environment and masculinity that the crowd brings,” he says.

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

“Progress has been limited (more players coming out) as much as we would like.

“My role is to continue advocating for principles I believe in, and strive for taking out the harmful male norms in soccer locker rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘I'm here to create change’

Cavallo says football has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about coming out.

However, 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 will be held in another Gulf state, where same-sex attraction is also illegal.

“Do I approve that the World Cup is in countries that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be imprisoned for just existing on that land? It's scary,” states the athlete.

“I get messages [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for being who I am - is assistance possible?’.

“It's devastating that people are getting locked up for their true selves.

“There are countries that are significant soccer markets and they don't accept 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 seek understanding.

“Some will disapprove for your identity. But I've discovered support. I've connected with similar people.

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