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“You shouldn't exist” ... “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 social media.

“When I first saw these messages, I was devastated,” the player explains. “Nobody should have to endure such words.

“I'm trying to get better as a player and reach my full potential on the pitch, and then face criticism because of who I am. It's appalling.”

Midfielder the sportsman was playing for Adelaide United back in 2020 when he became the only openly gay top-flight male professional footballer in the world.

This summer he departed from Australia to sign with lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of the English soccer system.

This young athlete balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by advocating for inclusion matters and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and acceptance.

“Absolutely, we've got mountains to do,” Cavallo comments 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 the athlete to work up the courage to say “I am homosexual” before revealing his sexuality on October 27th, 2021.

“All I want to do is play football and be treated equally,” he said in an related clip.

The player was twenty-one and making a name for himself at Adelaide United in the premier division when, with the support of his team-mates, he announced his orientation publicly.

“I didn't know what was ahead. I didn't know what to expect,” he says. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”

The heartfelt revelation clip, titled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral on social media.

“My phone was flooded 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 Jurgen Klopp saying: “I appreciate that he took this step because it sparks conversation.”

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also offered support, posting online that “soccer culture is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United issued a statement supporting their “remarkable” and “courageous” player.

Others, however, were less welcoming.

The footballer soon turned into a target of homophobic abuse by opposition fans.

During early 2022 a competing team were penalized A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from fans aimed toward the player during a game.

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

“I didn't react because I knew that would only feed the haters.”

A scary event occurred at a petrol station in Australia, where Cavallo was physically attacked by an individual who identified him from the media attention.

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

“Should this be tolerated? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, these are the consequences.

“My wish is that the next person who reveals their orientation while playing football at a high level won't face the path I have endured.”

Cavallo says the daily death threats and abusive messages have taken a toll on his mental health.

“It's quite sad because I must justify why I belong on the soccer pitch 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, positive person. But sometimes when I rely on my partner, his name, and he gets to see a lot that happens behind the scenes.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

The player's choice to disclose his orientation helped prompt 17-year-old Blackpool forward another athlete to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay active male professional footballer in spring 2022.

However, 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'm not going to sugar-coat it. There are a lot of scary things that would await this individual. In the world of football, being an openly gay player is a highly hostile environment.”

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

“Simply attend to a match and see the hostile environment and male-dominated culture that the audience creates,” he says.

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

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

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

‘My mission is to drive progress’

Cavallo says soccer has allowed him to have conversations inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.

However, he is disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, after the Middle Eastern nation, where same-sex relationships are illegal, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.

Future World Cup is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where same-sex attraction is also illegal.

“Am I impressed that the global championship is in countries that ban gay unions, where people like me will be put in prison for merely living on their territory? It's frightening,” says the athlete.

“I get messages [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I face imprisonment for my identity - can you help me?’.

“It's devastating that individuals are incarcerated for being who they are.

“There are countries that are huge in terms of football and they reject the queer community. These places that tend to target me.”

Nevertheless, the footballer says he will not stop speaking up.

“Soccer has enabled dialogue in the changing room. It lets me communicate and educate people who seek understanding.

“Some will disapprove for who you are. But I've discovered support. I've connected with similar people.

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