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

After announcing his homosexuality in 2021, footballer Josh Cavallo has received daily death threats and hateful comments on social media.

“When I first saw these messages, it broke my heart,” the player states. “No-one wants to read things like that.

“I'm working to improve my skills and reach my full potential on the pitch, and then face criticism because of who I am. It's appalling.”

Midfielder Cavallo was at 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.

This young athlete combines playing for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by advocating for 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 comments when asked if football still has a problem with discrimination.

“I don't go more than a week without encountering problems.”

‘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.

“My only desire 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 Adelaide United in Australia's top flight when, with the support of his team-mates, he publicly came out.

“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he recalls. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”

His emotional coming out video, titled ‘His Personal Story’, gained massive attention on social media.

“My mobile phone exploded with messages of support. The response was incredible.”

A prominent club were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for Cavallo, with then manager the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he did it because it sparks conversation.”

Barcelona defender the athlete also expressed backing, posting online that “soccer culture is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United issued a statement backing their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.

Others, however, were less welcoming.

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

During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from spectators aimed toward the player during a match.

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

“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”

A scary event occurred at a gas station in Australia, where Cavallo was assaulted by an individual who identified him from the coverage.

“That was a scary moment,” he remembers. “I remember thinking ‘this is real - individuals intend to hurt me’.

“Is it acceptable? Definitely not. But through my disclosure, this is what it brings.

“I hope 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 constant menacing messages and hostile communications have taken a toll on his mental health.

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

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

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

‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’

The player's choice to disclose his orientation helped inspire teenage attacking player Jake Daniels to announce he was gay 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 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 come this person's way. In the world of football, being an openly gay player is a highly hostile environment.”

Over two decades 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 persists in men's football.

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

“There is still a lot of work to make sure there is a safe space in football for people like myself and Jake.

“We haven't seen it (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as much as we would like.

“I can only keep pushing for principles I believe in, and strive for taking out the toxic masculinity in football changing rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘I'm here to create change’

Cavallo says football has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.

Yet, he is critical of Fifa, after Qatar, where homosexual partnerships are against the law, hosted the men's World Cup 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 criminalise same-sex marriages, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for merely living on that land? It's scary,” states Cavallo.

“I receive communications [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for my identity - is assistance possible?’.

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

“There are countries that are huge in terms of football and they reject LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that often focus on me.”

Despite this, the footballer says he will not stop speaking up.

“Football has enabled dialogue in the locker 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've connected with similar people.

“My mission is to create change. That's what I'm here for.”