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

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

“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” Cavallo explains. “No-one wants to read things like that.

“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 four years ago when he emerged as the sole publicly out top-flight male professional footballer in the world.

This summer he left Australia to sign with lower-tier club 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 semi-professional team by advocating for inclusion matters and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on Instagram - to champion equality and acceptance.

“Definitely, there's enormous work ahead,” the footballer says when questioned about ongoing issues with discrimination.

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

‘Individuals wish to hurt me’

Several years passed for Cavallo to build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” before coming out on 27 October 2021.

“All I want to do is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he stated in an accompanying video.

Cavallo was twenty-one and building his reputation at his Australian club 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 had no expectations,” he says. “It felt like the right time in my life. I needed to move forward.”

The heartfelt revelation clip, titled ‘Josh's Truth’, gained massive attention on social media.

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

Liverpool were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to express support for the player, with then manager the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he did it because now we talk again.”

Barcelona defender the athlete also expressed backing, writing on social media that “the world of football is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club issued a statement backing their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.

Others, however, were not so accepting.

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

During early 2022 a competing team were fined A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from spectators aimed toward Cavallo during a game.

“The comments I encountered were hurtful and disparaging towards LGBTQ people,” he says.

“I remained calm because I knew that would only feed the haters.”

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 recalls. “I remember thinking ‘this is real - individuals intend to hurt me’.

“Should this be tolerated? Absolutely not. But by coming out, these are the consequences.

“My wish is that future individuals who reveals their orientation while playing football at a professional standard doesn't have to experience 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 belong on the football field for my identity,” he states.

“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.

“A lot of people see me as a smiling, positive person. But there are days when I rely on my partner, his name, and he gets to see much of what occurs privately.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped prompt 17-year-old attacking player Jake Daniels to announce he was gay as the Britain's sole publicly out playing soccer professional in spring 2022.

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

“It would create massive change,” comments the footballer on the impact a Premier League player revealing their orientation would have.

“But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. Within soccer culture, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”

Over two decades after a pioneering player - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - took his own life in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “harmful male culture” that still exists in professional soccer.

“You just need to go to a match and observe the hostile environment and male-dominated culture that the crowd brings,” he explains.

“Much remains to be done to ensure there is a secure environment 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 what I think is right, and work towards eliminating the harmful male norms in soccer locker rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

Cavallo says football has enabled discussions within team environments about revealing one's orientation.

Yet, he is disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, after the Middle Eastern nation, where homosexual partnerships are illegal, staged the global tournament in 2022.

The 2034 tournament is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where same-sex attraction is similarly prohibited.

“Am I impressed that the World Cup is in countries that ban gay unions, where people like me will be imprisoned for merely living on their territory? It's frightening,” says Cavallo.

“I get messages [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I face imprisonment for my identity - is assistance possible?’.

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

“Certain nations that are significant soccer markets and they reject LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”

Despite this, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.

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

“Some will disapprove for who you are. But I have found my family. I have found my community.

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