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

Since revealing he was gay in 2021, player Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and abusive messages on online platforms.

“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” Cavallo explains. “No-one wants to read things like that.

“I'm working to improve my skills and reach my full potential during matches, and then get put down due to my identity. It's disgusting.”

Player Cavallo was playing for Adelaide United back in 2020 when he emerged as the sole publicly out elite soccer player in the world.

This summer he left Australia to sign with non-league Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in the sixth division, one level below of English football.

The 25-year-old combines playing for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by advocating for LGBTQ+ issues and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and inclusion.

“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” Cavallo says when questioned about ongoing issues with discrimination.

“Rarely a week passes without encountering problems.”

‘Individuals wish to hurt me’

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

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

Cavallo was twenty-one and making a name for himself at Adelaide United in Australia's top flight when, backed by his colleagues, he publicly came out.

“The future was uncertain. 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 ‘Josh's Truth’, went viral on digital platforms.

“My phone was flooded with messages of support. 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 appreciate that he took this step because it sparks conversation.”

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also offered support, writing on social media that “the world of football is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United issued a statement supporting their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.

Some people, however, were less welcoming.

Cavallo quickly became a target of anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.

During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were penalized A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from spectators directed at the player during a game.

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

“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 physically attacked by someone who recognised him from the media attention.

“It was terrifying,” he recalls. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is real - people want to harm me’.

“Should this be tolerated? Definitely 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 daily death threats and hostile communications have taken a toll on his mental health.

“It's disappointing because I am having to explain why I deserve a place on the soccer pitch for being who I am,” 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 there are days when I rely on my partner, his name, and he witnesses a lot that happens privately.”

‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’

The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped inspire 17-year-old attacking player another athlete to announce he was gay as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in May 2022.

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

“It would create massive change,” comments Cavallo on the effect 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 come this person's way. Within soccer culture, being an openly gay player is a highly hostile environment.”

Twenty-seven years after Justin Fashanu - 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.

“Simply attend to a game and see the unfriendly atmosphere and male-dominated culture that the crowd brings,” he explains.

“Much remains to be done 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 much as we would like.

“I can only keep pushing for principles I believe in, and strive for eliminating the harmful male norms in football changing rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

The player says football has allowed him to have conversations inside dressing rooms about coming out.

However, he is disapproving toward Fifa, after the Middle Eastern nation, where homosexual partnerships are illegal, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.

Future World Cup is scheduled in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is also illegal.

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

“I receive communications [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 the queer community. These places that tend to target me.”

Nevertheless, the footballer says he won't cease advocating.

“Soccer has enabled dialogue in the changing room. It has allowed me to speak and inform individuals who seek understanding.

“Not everyone is going to like you for who you are. But I've discovered support. I have found my community.

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