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“You shouldn't exist” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Stop breathing.”

Since revealing his homosexuality in 2021, footballer Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and abusive messages on online platforms.

“Upon reading those comments, 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 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 departed from Australia to join non-league Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of the English soccer system.

This young athlete balances his sports career for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues and using his profile - he has more than one million followers on social media - to promote fairness and inclusion.

“Definitely, there's enormous work ahead,” Cavallo comments when asked if football still has a problem with homophobia.

“Rarely a week passes without encountering problems.”

‘People want to harm me’

It took years 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 receive fair treatment,” he stated in an related clip.

Cavallo was twenty-one and making a name for himself 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 didn't know what to expect,” he says. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I needed to move forward.”

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

“My phone was flooded with encouraging words. It was overwhelming.”

Liverpool were among numerous famous teams around the world to show solidarity with Cavallo, with the coach at the time 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 “soccer culture is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while his former club released a comment backing their “remarkable” and “brave” player.

Some people, however, were not so accepting.

Cavallo quickly became a target of anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.

During early 2022 a competing team were penalized five thousand dollars over discriminatory chants from spectators directed at Cavallo during a game.

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

“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”

There was a frightening incident at a gas station in Australia, where the athlete was assaulted by an individual who identified him from the coverage.

“It was terrifying,” he remembers. “I remember thinking ‘this is happening - individuals intend to hurt me’.

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

“My wish is that future individuals who comes out while competing in soccer at a professional standard doesn't have to experience the path I have experienced.”

The player says the daily death threats and abusive messages have affected his mental health.

“It's quite sad because I am having to explain why I deserve a place on the football field for being who I am,” he states.

“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.

“A lot of people see me as a smiling, optimistic 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’

Cavallo's decision to disclose his orientation helped prompt 17-year-old Blackpool forward Jake Daniels to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay 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,” comments the footballer on the effect a Premier League player revealing their orientation would make.

“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 Justin Fashanu - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - took his own life in 1998, the current athlete has spoken about the “harmful male culture” that persists in professional soccer.

“Simply attend to a match and observe the hostile environment and masculinity that the audience creates,” he says.

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

“Progress has been limited (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as much as we would like.

“My role is to continue advocating 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’

The player says soccer has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.

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

Future World Cup will be held in Saudi Arabia, 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 just existing on that land? It's scary,” says the athlete.

“I get messages [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for being who I am - is assistance possible?’.

“It breaks my heart that people are getting locked up for their true selves.

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

Nevertheless, Cavallo says he won't cease advocating.

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

“Not everyone is going to like you for who you are. But I've discovered support. I have found my community.

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