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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 received daily death threats and abusive messages on online platforms.

“When I first saw these messages, I was devastated,” the player 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 face criticism due to my identity. It's appalling.”

Player the sportsman was at Adelaide United four years ago when he emerged as the sole publicly out elite soccer player in the world.

This summer he departed from Australia to join non-league Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in the sixth division, the sixth tier of the English soccer system.

The 25-year-old balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by advocating for inclusion matters and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on social media - to champion equality and acceptance.

“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” Cavallo says when questioned about ongoing issues with discrimination.

“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'm gay” before coming out on October 27th, 2021.

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

The player was 21 and building his reputation at his Australian club in Australia's top flight when, with the support of his team-mates, he publicly came out.

“The future was uncertain. I didn't know what to expect,” he recalls. “It felt like the right time in my life. I needed to move forward.”

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 Cavallo, with then manager the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he took this step because now we talk again.”

Spanish player the athlete also expressed backing, writing on social media that “soccer culture is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United released a comment supporting their “remarkable” and “brave” player.

Others, however, were not so accepting.

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

In January 2022 a competing team were penalized five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from fans aimed toward the player during a match.

“The comments I encountered were hurtful and derogatory towards LGBTQ people,” he explains.

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

There was a frightening incident at a gas station in Australia, where Cavallo was physically attacked by someone who recognised him from the media attention.

“That was a scary moment,” he recalls. “I remember thinking ‘this is real - people want to harm me’.

“Is it acceptable? Absolutely 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 high level won't face the journey I have experienced.”

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

“It's disappointing because I am having to explain why I belong on the soccer pitch for my identity,” he says.

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

“Many individuals see me as a smiling, optimistic person. But there are days when I rely on my partner, his name, and he gets to see a lot that happens privately.”

‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’

The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped inspire teenage attacking player Jake Daniels to announce he was gay as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in spring 2022.

However, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the Premier League.

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

“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. There are a lot of scary things that would come this person's way. In the world of football, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”

Over two decades after Justin Fashanu - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - died by suicide in 1998, Cavallo has discussed the “harmful male culture” that still exists in professional soccer.

“Simply attend to a game and observe the hostile environment and masculinity that the crowd brings,” he says.

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

“We haven't seen it (more players coming out) as frequently as desired.

“I can only keep pushing for what I think is right, and strive for eliminating the harmful male norms in football changing rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘I'm here to create change’

Cavallo says football has allowed him to have conversations inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.

Yet, he is disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, after Qatar, 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.

“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,” states Cavallo.

“I get messages [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I face imprisonment for being who I am - can you help me?’.

“It's devastating that individuals are incarcerated for their true selves.

“Certain nations that are huge in terms of football and they don't accept LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”

Nevertheless, Cavallo says he won't cease advocating.

“Football has enabled dialogue in the locker room. It lets me communicate and educate people who want to learn more.

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

“My mission is to drive progress. That's my objective.”