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

Since revealing he was gay in 2021, player Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and hateful comments on online platforms.

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

“I'm trying to get better as a player and reach my full potential on the pitch, and then get put down due to my identity. It's appalling.”

Midfielder Cavallo was at Adelaide United back in 2020 when he became the only openly gay elite soccer player 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 English football.

The 25-year-old combines playing for the semi-professional team by speaking up on inclusion matters and using his profile - he has more than one million followers on social media - to promote fairness and acceptance.

“Definitely, we've got mountains to do,” Cavallo says when questioned about ongoing issues with discrimination.

“I don't go more than a week without encountering problems.”

‘Individuals wish to hurt me’

Several years passed for Cavallo to build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” before coming out on 27 October 2021.

“My only desire is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he said in an accompanying video.

Cavallo was 21 and building his reputation at Adelaide United in the premier division 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. “It felt like the right time in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”

The heartfelt revelation clip, entitled ‘Josh's Truth’, gained massive attention on social media.

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

A prominent club were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to express support for the player, with then manager Jurgen Klopp saying: “I appreciate that he took this step because now we talk again.”

Barcelona defender 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.

Cavallo quickly became a target of homophobic abuse by opposition fans.

During early 2022 a competing team were fined A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from fans aimed toward Cavallo during a match.

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

“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”

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

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

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

“I hope that the next person who reveals their orientation while playing football at a high level won't face the path I have endured.”

Cavallo says the daily death threats and abusive messages 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 rely on my partner, Leighton, and he witnesses much of what occurs behind the scenes.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

The player's choice to disclose his orientation helped inspire 17-year-old attacking player another athlete to come out 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 impact 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, the current athlete has spoken about the “harmful male culture” that persists in professional soccer.

“You just need to go to a game and observe the unfriendly atmosphere and male-dominated culture that the crowd brings,” he explains.

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

“We haven't seen it (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as much as we would like.

“I can only keep pushing for what I think is right, and strive for taking out the harmful male norms in soccer locker rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘I'm here to create change’

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

Yet, he is disapproving toward Fifa, after Qatar, where homosexual partnerships are against the law, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.

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

“Am I impressed that the World Cup is in countries that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be put in prison for just existing on their territory? It's scary,” states Cavallo.

“I receive communications [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I face imprisonment for my identity - 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 the queer community. These places that often focus on me.”

Despite this, the footballer says he won't cease advocating.

“Soccer has enabled dialogue in the locker room. It has allowed me to speak and educate people who want to learn more.

“Some will disapprove 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.”