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“You shouldn't exist” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”

Since revealing he was gay in 2021, footballer Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and abusive messages on social media.

“Upon reading those comments, 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 face criticism due to my identity. It's disgusting.”

Player Cavallo was at Adelaide United back in 2020 when he emerged as the sole publicly out elite soccer player in the world.

This summer he left Australia to join lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of English football.

The 25-year-old balances his sports career for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and acceptance.

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

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

‘People want to harm me’

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

“All I want to do is play football and receive fair treatment,” he said in an related clip.

Cavallo was 21 and making a name for himself at Adelaide United in the premier division when, backed by his colleagues, he publicly came out.

“I didn't know what was ahead. I had no expectations,” he recalls. “It felt like the right time in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”

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

“My mobile phone exploded with encouraging words. The response was incredible.”

A prominent club were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to show solidarity with Cavallo, with then manager Jurgen Klopp saying: “I'm really thankful that he did it because it sparks conversation.”

Barcelona defender the athlete also expressed backing, posting online that “the world of football is lagging behind and you are helping us move forward”, while his former club issued a statement supporting their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.

Some people, however, were less welcoming.

The footballer soon turned into a target of anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.

In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from fans aimed toward the player during a game.

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

“I didn't react because I knew that would only feed the haters.”

There was a frightening incident at a petrol station in Australia, where Cavallo was assaulted by an individual who identified him from the coverage.

“That was a scary moment,” he remembers. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is happening - people want to harm me’.

“Is it acceptable? Definitely not. But through my disclosure, this is what it brings.

“I hope that the next person who comes out while playing football at a high level won't face the path I have experienced.”

The player says the daily death threats and hostile communications have affected his psychological well-being.

“It's quite sad because I am having to explain 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 ‘what gives you the right in football?’.

“A lot of people see me as a cheerful, positive person. But sometimes when I rely on my partner, Leighton, 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 reveal his sexuality helped inspire 17-year-old attacking player another athlete to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay playing soccer professional in spring 2022.

Nevertheless, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the Premier League.

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

“But I must be honest. There are a lot of scary things that would await this individual. Within soccer culture, being an openly gay player is a highly hostile environment.”

Twenty-seven years after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - died by suicide in 1998, Cavallo has discussed the “toxic masculinity” that persists in professional soccer.

“Simply attend to a match and observe the hostile environment and masculinity that the audience creates,” he says.

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

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

“I can only keep pushing for what I think is right, and work towards eliminating the toxic masculinity in soccer locker rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘I'm here to create change’

The player says football has allowed him to have conversations inside dressing rooms about coming out.

However, he is critical of soccer's global governing body, after Qatar, where same-sex relationships are against the law, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.

The 2034 tournament will be held in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is also illegal.

“Do I approve that the global championship is in nations that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be put in prison for merely living on that land? It's frightening,” says the athlete.

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

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

“There are countries that are significant soccer markets and they don't accept the queer community. These places that often focus on me.”

Nevertheless, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.

“Football has allowed me to start conversations in the locker room. It lets me communicate and inform individuals who want to learn more.

“Not everyone is going to like you for your identity. But I've discovered support. I've connected with similar people.

“My purpose is to drive progress. That's what I'm here for.”