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

After announcing he was gay in 2021, footballer Josh Cavallo has received daily death threats and abusive messages on online platforms.

“When I first saw these messages, it broke my heart,” Cavallo states. “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 get put down due to my identity. It's disgusting.”

Player Cavallo was playing for Adelaide United back in 2020 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, one level below of English football.

The 25-year-old combines playing for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by speaking up on inclusion matters and leveraging his platform - he has more than one million followers on Instagram - to champion equality and acceptance.

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

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

‘People want to harm me’

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

The player 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 had no expectations,” he says. “It felt like the right time in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”

His emotional coming out video, titled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral on digital platforms.

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

Liverpool were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to express support for Cavallo, with the coach at the time Jurgen Klopp saying: “I appreciate that he took this step because now we talk again.”

Spanish player the athlete also offered support, writing on social media that “the world of football is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club released a comment supporting their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.

Some people, however, were not so accepting.

The footballer soon turned into a target of anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.

In January 2022 a competing team were fined A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from fans directed at the player during a match.

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

“I didn't react because responding would encourage detractors.”

A scary event occurred at a petrol station in Australia, where the athlete was physically attacked by someone who recognised him from the media attention.

“It was terrifying,” he remembers. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is happening - individuals intend to hurt me’.

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

“My wish is that the next person who reveals their orientation while competing in soccer at a professional standard won't face the path I have experienced.”

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

“It's quite sad because I must justify why I deserve a place on the soccer pitch for being who I am,” he says.

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

“Many individuals see me as a smiling, positive person. But sometimes when I rely on my partner, Leighton, and he gets to see much of what occurs behind the scenes.”

‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’

Cavallo's decision to reveal his sexuality helped inspire teenage attacking player Jake Daniels to come out as the UK's only openly gay active male professional footballer in spring 2022.

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

“It would move mountains,” says Cavallo on the impact a Premier League player revealing their orientation would have.

“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects that would come this person's way. Within soccer culture, being an openly gay player is a highly hostile environment.”

Over two decades after a pioneering player - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - took his own life in 1998, Cavallo has spoken about the “toxic masculinity” that persists in professional soccer.

“Simply attend to a match and observe the unfriendly atmosphere and masculinity that the crowd brings,” he explains.

“There is still a lot of work to make sure there is a safe space in soccer for individuals like me and Jake.

“Progress has been limited (more players coming out) as frequently as desired.

“I can only keep pushing for principles I believe in, and work towards eliminating the harmful male norms in soccer locker rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

Cavallo says soccer has allowed him to have conversations within team environments about revealing one's orientation.

Yet, he is disapproving toward Fifa, after the Middle Eastern nation, where same-sex relationships are illegal, staged the global tournament in 2022.

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

“Do I approve that the World Cup is in nations that criminalise same-sex marriages, where individuals like myself will be imprisoned for just existing on their territory? It's scary,” states Cavallo.

“I receive communications [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I face imprisonment 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 LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that often focus on me.”

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

“Football has allowed me to start conversations in the changing room. It lets me communicate and inform individuals who seek understanding.

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

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