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

After announcing his homosexuality in 2021, player Josh Cavallo has received daily death threats and abusive messages on online platforms.

“When I first saw these messages, it broke my heart,” the player explains. “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 appalling.”

Midfielder Cavallo was playing for Adelaide United four years ago when he became the only openly gay elite soccer player in the world.

Recently he departed from Australia to join lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in National League North, one level below of the English soccer system.

The 25-year-old combines playing for the semi-professional team by advocating for LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on Instagram - to champion equality and inclusion.

“Definitely, there's enormous work ahead,” the footballer says when asked if football still has a problem with discrimination.

“Rarely a week passes without hearing about an issue.”

‘Individuals wish to hurt me’

Several years passed for Cavallo to build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” before revealing his sexuality 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 building his reputation 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 recalls. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”

His emotional coming out video, titled ‘Josh's Truth’, gained massive attention on digital platforms.

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

A prominent club were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for Cavallo, with the coach at the time the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he took this step because now we talk again.”

Spanish player Gerard Pique also offered support, writing on social media that “soccer culture is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club issued a statement supporting their “remarkable” and “brave” player.

Others, however, were not so accepting.

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

In January 2022 a competing team were fined A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from spectators directed at the player during a match.

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

“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”

There was a frightening incident at a petrol station in Australia, where the athlete was physically attacked by someone who recognised him from the media attention.

“That was a scary moment,” he remembers. “I remember thinking ‘this is happening - people want to harm me’.

“Should this be tolerated? Definitely not. But by coming out, this is what it brings.

“My wish is that the next person who comes out while competing in soccer at a professional standard won't face the journey I have experienced.”

The player says the constant menacing messages and abusive messages have affected his psychological well-being.

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

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

“A lot of people see me as a smiling, optimistic person. But there are days when I rely on my partner, Leighton, and he gets to see a lot that happens privately.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

The player's choice to disclose his orientation helped inspire teenage Blackpool forward Jake Daniels to announce he was gay as the Britain's sole publicly out playing soccer professional in spring 2022.

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

“It would move mountains,” comments Cavallo on the impact a elite athlete coming out would have.

“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. There are a lot of scary things that would come this person's way. In the world of football, identifying as LGBTQ is a very toxic place.”

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

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

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

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

“My role is to continue advocating for what I think is right, and strive for taking out the harmful male norms in soccer locker rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

The player says football has allowed him to have conversations 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, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.

The 2034 tournament is scheduled in another Gulf state, where same-sex attraction is similarly prohibited.

“Do I approve that the global championship is in nations that ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for merely living on that land? It's frightening,” 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 breaks my heart that individuals are incarcerated for their true selves.

“Certain nations that are huge in terms of football and they reject LGBTQ+ people. These places that tend to target me.”

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

“Football has enabled dialogue in the locker room. It lets me communicate and inform individuals who want to learn more.

“Not everyone is going to like you for who you are. But I have found my family. I've connected with similar people.

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