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

Since revealing he was gay in 2021, footballer Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and hateful comments on online platforms.

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

“I'm working to improve my skills and be the best I can be during matches, 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 became the only openly gay elite soccer player in the world.

This summer he left Australia to join non-league Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of English football.

The 25-year-old combines playing for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues and using his profile - he has more than one million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and acceptance.

“Definitely, there's enormous work ahead,” the footballer 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’

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

“All I want to do is compete in soccer and receive fair treatment,” he stated in an related clip.

Cavallo was 21 and making a name for himself at Adelaide United in the premier division when, backed by his colleagues, he publicly came out.

“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he recalls. “It felt like the right time in my life. I needed to move forward.”

His emotional coming out video, titled ‘His Personal Story’, gained massive attention 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 show solidarity with the player, with then manager the German manager saying: “I'm really thankful that he took this step because now we talk again.”

Spanish player the athlete also offered support, posting online that “soccer culture is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club released a comment backing their “remarkable” and “brave” player.

Others, however, were not so accepting.

Cavallo soon turned into a subject to homophobic abuse by rival supporters.

In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were penalized five thousand dollars over discriminatory chants from spectators directed at Cavallo during a match.

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

“I didn't react because responding would encourage detractors.”

There was a frightening incident at a gas station in Australia, where the athlete was assaulted by an individual who identified him from the media attention.

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

“Should this be tolerated? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, this is what it brings.

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

The player says the constant menacing messages 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 my identity,” he says.

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

“Many individuals see me as a cheerful, positive person. But there are days when I rely on my partner, Leighton, 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 17-year-old attacking player Jake Daniels to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out playing soccer professional in spring 2022.

Nevertheless, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the top English division.

“It would create massive change,” comments the footballer on the effect a Premier League player coming out would have.

“But I must be honest. There are a lot of scary things that would await this individual. In the world of football, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”

Twenty-seven years after a pioneering player - the UK's initial out soccer professional - died by suicide in 1998, Cavallo has spoken about the “harmful male culture” that still exists in professional soccer.

“Simply attend to a game and see the hostile environment 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 people like myself and his colleague.

“We haven't seen it (additional athletes revealing their orientation) 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.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

The player says soccer has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.

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

Future World Cup will be held in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.

“Do I approve that the global championship is in countries that ban gay unions, where people like me will be put in prison for just existing on that land? It's frightening,” states the athlete.

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

“It breaks my heart that people are getting locked up for their true selves.

“Certain nations 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 will not stop speaking up.

“Football has enabled dialogue in the changing room. It lets me communicate and educate people who want to learn more.

“Some will disapprove for your identity. But I've discovered support. I have found my community.

“My mission is to drive progress. That's what I'm here for.”