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

Since revealing his homosexuality in 2021, player 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 explains. “Nobody should have to endure such words.

“I'm trying to get better as a player and be the best I can be during matches, and then face criticism due to my identity. It's disgusting.”

Midfielder Cavallo was playing for Adelaide United four years ago when he emerged as the sole publicly out top-flight male professional footballer in the world.

Recently he left Australia to sign with non-league Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of the English soccer system.

The 25-year-old combines playing for the semi-professional team by speaking up on inclusion matters and leveraging his platform - he has more than one million followers on social media - to champion equality and acceptance.

“Absolutely, we've got mountains to do,” the footballer comments when asked if football still has a problem with homophobia.

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

‘People want to harm 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 be treated equally,” he said in an related clip.

Cavallo was 21 and making a name for himself at his Australian club in the premier division when, backed by his colleagues, he publicly came out.

“I didn't know what was ahead. I didn't know what to expect,” he recalls. “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 social media.

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

Liverpool were among numerous famous teams around the world to show solidarity with the player, with then manager Jurgen Klopp saying: “I'm really thankful that he did it because it sparks conversation.”

Spanish player Gerard Pique also offered support, posting online that “the world of football is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while his former club released a comment backing their “remarkable” and “brave” player.

Others, however, were less welcoming.

The footballer quickly became a subject to anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.

In January 2022 a competing team were penalized five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from fans aimed toward the player during a game.

“The things I'd hear were painful and disparaging towards LGBTQ people,” 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 assaulted by someone who recognised him from the coverage.

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

“Is it acceptable? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, these are the consequences.

“My wish is that the next person who comes out while playing football at a professional standard doesn't have to experience the journey I have experienced.”

Cavallo says the daily death threats and abusive messages have affected his psychological well-being.

“It's disappointing because I must justify why I belong on the football field for being who I am,” he states.

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

“Many individuals see me as a smiling, optimistic person. But there are days when I lean on my fiance, Leighton, and he witnesses a lot that happens behind the scenes.”

‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’

The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped prompt teenage attacking player another athlete to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in spring 2022.

However, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the top English division.

“It would create massive change,” comments Cavallo on the impact a elite athlete revealing their orientation 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, 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 still exists in professional soccer.

“Simply attend to a game and see the hostile environment and male-dominated culture that the crowd brings,” he says.

“Much remains to be done to ensure there is a safe space in soccer for individuals like me and his colleague.

“We haven't seen it (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as frequently as desired.

“I can only keep pushing for what I think is right, and strive for taking out the harmful male norms in football changing rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

The player says football has enabled discussions 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 against the law, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.

Future World Cup will be held in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is also illegal.

“Do I approve that the World Cup is in nations that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be put in prison for merely living on that land? It's frightening,” says Cavallo.

“I receive communications [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for being who I am - can you help me?’.

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

“Certain nations that are significant soccer markets and they don't accept LGBTQ+ people. These places 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 has allowed me to speak and inform individuals who want to learn more.

“Not everyone is going to like you for your identity. But I've discovered support. I've connected with similar people.

“My mission is to create change. That's my objective.”