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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 received daily death threats and abusive messages on online platforms.

“When I first saw these messages, I was devastated,” the player states. “Nobody should have to endure such words.

“I'm trying to get better as a player and reach my full potential on the pitch, and then get put down 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 lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of English football.

This young athlete combines playing for the semi-professional team by advocating for LGBTQ+ issues and using his profile - he has more than one million followers on social media - to champion equality and acceptance.

“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” the footballer says when asked if football still has a problem 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 work up the courage to say “I am homosexual” before coming out on October 27th, 2021.

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

Cavallo was 21 and making a name for himself at his Australian club in Australia's top flight when, backed by his colleagues, he announced his orientation publicly.

“I didn't know what was ahead. I had no expectations,” 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 social media.

“My mobile phone exploded with encouraging words. It was overwhelming.”

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 did it because it sparks conversation.”

Barcelona defender the athlete also expressed backing, writing on social media that “the world of football is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United issued a statement supporting their “remarkable” and “brave” player.

Some people, however, were less welcoming.

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

During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from fans aimed toward the player during a match.

“The comments I encountered were hurtful and derogatory towards LGBTQ people,” he explains.

“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 an individual who identified him from the coverage.

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

“Is it acceptable? Definitely not. But by coming out, this is what it brings.

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

Cavallo says the daily death threats and abusive messages have taken a toll on his psychological well-being.

“It's disappointing because I am having to explain why I deserve a place on the football field for being who I am,” he says.

“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 lean on my fiance, his name, and he witnesses a lot that happens behind the scenes.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

Cavallo's decision to reveal his sexuality helped inspire teenage 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 top English division.

“It would create massive change,” says Cavallo on the effect a elite athlete revealing their orientation would make.

“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects that would come this person's way. Within soccer culture, being an openly gay player is a highly hostile environment.”

Twenty-seven years after a pioneering player - the UK's initial out soccer professional - took his own life in 1998, the current athlete has spoken about the “harmful male culture” that still exists in professional soccer.

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

“There is still a lot of work to make sure there is a secure environment in soccer for individuals like me and Jake.

“We haven't seen it (more players coming out) as frequently as desired.

“I can only keep pushing for what I think is right, and strive for taking out the toxic masculinity in soccer locker rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

Cavallo says football has allowed him to have conversations within team environments about revealing one's orientation.

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

The 2034 tournament is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.

“Do I approve 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,” says Cavallo.

“I get messages [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I face imprisonment for being who I am - 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 don't accept LGBTQ+ people. These places that tend to target me.”

Nevertheless, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.

“Football has allowed me to start conversations in the locker room. It has allowed me to speak and educate people who seek understanding.

“Some will disapprove for who you are. But I've discovered support. I've connected with similar people.

“My purpose is to drive progress. That's my objective.”