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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 faced constant threats and abusive messages on social media.

“When I first saw these messages, it broke my heart,” Cavallo explains. “No-one wants to read things like that.

“I'm trying to get better as a player and be the best I can be during matches, and then get put down because of who I am. It's disgusting.”

Player the sportsman was playing for Adelaide United back in 2020 when he became the only openly gay elite soccer player 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, the sixth tier of English football.

The 25-year-old balances his sports career for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by advocating for LGBTQ+ issues and using his profile - he has more than one million followers on social media - to champion equality and inclusion.

“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” the footballer comments when asked if football still has a problem with discrimination.

“Rarely a week passes without hearing about an issue.”

‘Individuals wish to hurt me’

It took years for Cavallo to work up the courage to say “I am homosexual” before revealing his sexuality on October 27th, 2021.

“All I want to do is compete in soccer and receive fair treatment,” he stated in an accompanying video.

The player was 21 and building his reputation at Adelaide United in Australia's top flight 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.”

His emotional coming out video, titled ‘Josh's Truth’, gained massive attention on social media.

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

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

Spanish player the athlete also expressed backing, writing on social media that “soccer culture is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United issued a statement backing their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.

Some people, however, were not so accepting.

The footballer soon turned into a subject to anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.

During early 2022 a competing team were fined five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from spectators aimed toward Cavallo during a match.

“The comments I encountered were hurtful and derogatory towards my community,” 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 physically attacked by an individual who identified him from the coverage.

“It was terrifying,” he recalls. “I remember thinking ‘this is happening - people want to harm me’.

“Should this be tolerated? Definitely not. But by coming out, this is what it brings.

“My wish is that the next person who reveals their orientation while competing in soccer at a professional standard doesn't have to experience the journey I have endured.”

Cavallo says the daily death threats and hostile communications have affected his mental health.

“It's quite sad because I must justify 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 cheerful, positive person. But sometimes when I lean on my fiance, his name, and he gets to see a lot that happens privately.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped inspire teenage Blackpool forward another athlete to come out as the UK's only openly gay playing soccer professional in spring 2022.

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

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

“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 very toxic place.”

Twenty-seven years after a pioneering player - the UK's initial out soccer professional - took his own life in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “toxic masculinity” that still exists in men's football.

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

“Much remains to be done to make sure there is a secure environment in football for people like myself and his colleague.

“Progress has been limited (more players coming out) as much as we would like.

“My role is to continue advocating for principles I believe in, and strive for taking out the harmful male norms in soccer locker rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘I'm here to create change’

Cavallo says soccer has enabled discussions within team environments about coming out.

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

Future World Cup is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is also illegal.

“Am I impressed that the World Cup is in countries that ban gay unions, where people like me will be put in prison for merely living on that land? It's scary,” states Cavallo.

“I get messages [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for being who I am - can you help me?’.

“It breaks my heart that people are getting locked up for being who they are.

“Certain nations that are huge in terms of football and they reject the queer community. These places that often focus on me.”

Despite this, Cavallo says he won't cease advocating.

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

“Not everyone is going to like you for your identity. But I have found my family. I have found my community.

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