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

After announcing his homosexuality in 2021, player Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and hateful comments on social media.

“Upon reading those comments, it broke my heart,” Cavallo states. “No-one wants to read things like that.

“I'm working to improve my skills and reach my full potential on the pitch, and then get put down because of who I am. It's appalling.”

Player Cavallo was at Adelaide United four years ago when he became the only openly gay top-flight male professional footballer in the world.

Recently he left Australia to sign with 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 advocating for inclusion matters and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on social media - to champion equality and acceptance.

“Absolutely, we've got mountains to do,” the footballer comments when questioned about ongoing issues with discrimination.

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

‘Individuals wish to hurt me’

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

“My only desire is compete in soccer and receive fair treatment,” he said in an accompanying video.

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 says. “It felt like the right time in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”

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

“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 the player, with then manager Jurgen Klopp saying: “I'm really thankful that he did it because it sparks conversation.”

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

Others, however, were less welcoming.

Cavallo soon turned into a target of homophobic abuse by rival supporters.

During early 2022 a competing team were fined A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from fans directed at Cavallo during a game.

“The comments I encountered were hurtful and disparaging towards my community,” he explains.

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

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

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

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

“I hope that future individuals who comes out while competing in soccer at a professional standard doesn't have to experience the journey I have endured.”

Cavallo says the constant menacing messages 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 my identity,” he says.

“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.

“Many individuals see me as a cheerful, positive person. But there are days when I lean on my fiance, his name, and he gets to see a lot that happens behind the scenes.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

The player's choice to disclose his orientation helped prompt 17-year-old Blackpool forward Jake Daniels to announce he was gay as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in spring 2022.

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

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

“But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would come this person's way. In the world of football, identifying as LGBTQ is a highly hostile environment.”

Twenty-seven years after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - took his own life in 1998, Cavallo has discussed the “toxic masculinity” that persists in men's football.

“You just need to go to a match and see the hostile environment and male-dominated culture that the audience creates,” he explains.

“There is still a lot of work to make sure there is a secure environment in football for individuals like me and his colleague.

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

“My role is to continue advocating for principles I believe in, and strive for taking out the toxic masculinity in soccer locker rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘I'm here to create change’

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

Yet, he is critical of Fifa, after Qatar, where same-sex relationships are against the law, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.

The 2034 tournament is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is also illegal.

“Do I approve that the World Cup is in countries that criminalise same-sex marriages, 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 being who I am - is assistance possible?’.

“It's devastating that individuals are incarcerated for being who they are.

“Certain nations that are huge in terms of football and they reject LGBTQ+ people. These places that tend to target me.”

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

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

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

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