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“You shouldn't exist” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”

Since revealing he was gay in 2021, footballer Josh Cavallo has received daily death threats and abusive messages on social media.

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

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 departed from Australia to sign with non-league Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in the sixth division, the sixth tier of English football.

This young athlete combines playing for the semi-professional team by advocating for LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on social media - to champion equality and acceptance.

“Definitely, we've got mountains to do,” the footballer comments when questioned about ongoing issues with discrimination.

“I don't go more than a week without hearing about an issue.”

‘People want to harm me’

It took years for the athlete to work up the courage to say “I'm gay” before coming out on October 27th, 2021.

“My only desire is play football and be treated equally,” he stated in an related clip.

The player was 21 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.

“The future was uncertain. I didn't know what to expect,” he recalls. “It felt like the right time in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”

The heartfelt revelation clip, entitled ‘Josh's Truth’, went viral on social media.

“My mobile phone exploded with messages of support. It was overwhelming.”

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

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also offered support, writing on social media that “the world of football is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United released a comment supporting their “remarkable” and “courageous” player.

Others, however, were less welcoming.

Cavallo quickly became a target of anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.

In January 2022 a competing team were fined A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from fans aimed toward Cavallo during a match.

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

“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”

There was a frightening incident at a gas station in Australia, where Cavallo was assaulted by someone who recognised him from the media attention.

“That was a scary moment,” he remembers. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is happening - people want to harm me’.

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

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

The player says the constant menacing messages and hostile communications have affected his mental health.

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

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

“A lot of people see me as a cheerful, positive person. But sometimes when I lean on my fiance, Leighton, and he witnesses much of what occurs privately.”

‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’

Cavallo's decision to disclose his orientation helped inspire teenage Blackpool forward another athlete to announce he was gay as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in May 2022.

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

“It would create massive change,” says Cavallo on the impact a Premier League player revealing their orientation would make.

“But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would come this person's way. In the world of football, identifying as LGBTQ is a highly hostile environment.”

Twenty-seven years after Justin Fashanu - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - died by suicide in 1998, Cavallo has discussed the “harmful male culture” that persists in men's football.

“Simply attend to a match and see the unfriendly atmosphere and masculinity that the audience creates,” he explains.

“Much remains to be done to make sure there is a secure environment in soccer for people like myself and his colleague.

“Progress has been limited (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as frequently as desired.

“My role is to continue advocating for principles I believe in, and strive for eliminating the harmful male norms in football changing rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘I'm here to create change’

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

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

The 2034 tournament will be held in another Gulf state, where same-sex attraction 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 merely living on that land? It's scary,” says Cavallo.

“I get messages [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for my identity - can you help me?’.

“It's devastating that people are getting locked up for being who they are.

“Certain nations that are significant soccer markets and they don't accept the queer community. These places that often focus on me.”

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

“Football has allowed me to start conversations in the locker room. It lets me communicate and educate people who want to learn more.

“Not everyone is going to like you for who you are. But I have found my family. I have found my community.

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