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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, player Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and hateful comments on social media.

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

“I'm working to improve my skills and reach my full potential during matches, and then get put down because of who I am. It's disgusting.”

Midfielder Cavallo was at Adelaide United four years ago when he emerged as the sole publicly out 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 the sixth division, one level below of the English soccer system.

This young athlete combines playing for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by advocating for inclusion matters and using his profile - he has more than one million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and acceptance.

“Definitely, we've got mountains to do,” the footballer comments when asked if football still has a problem with discrimination.

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

‘Individuals wish to hurt me’

Several years passed for Cavallo to work up the courage to say “I'm gay” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.

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

Cavallo was 21 and building his reputation at Adelaide United in the premier division when, backed by his colleagues, he publicly came out.

“The future was uncertain. 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 ‘Josh's Truth’, went viral on digital platforms.

“My phone was flooded with messages of support. The response was incredible.”

Liverpool were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to show solidarity with the player, with the coach at the time the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he took this step because it sparks conversation.”

Spanish player Gerard Pique also offered support, posting online that “soccer culture is lagging behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United issued a statement supporting their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.

Some people, however, were less welcoming.

Cavallo soon turned into a subject to anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.

In January 2022 a competing team were penalized A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from fans directed at the player during a game.

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

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

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

“That was a scary moment,” he remembers. “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.

“I hope that the next person who comes out while competing in soccer at a professional standard won't face the journey I have experienced.”

The player says the constant menacing messages and abusive messages have taken a toll on his mental health.

“It's disappointing because I am having to explain why I belong 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 smiling, optimistic person. But sometimes 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 17-year-old Blackpool forward another athlete to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay playing soccer professional in May 2022.

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

“It would create massive change,” says the footballer on the effect a elite athlete coming out 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, the current athlete has spoken about the “harmful male culture” that still exists in men's football.

“You just need to go to a game and observe the hostile environment and masculinity that the crowd brings,” he explains.

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

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

“I can only keep pushing for what I think is right, and strive for eliminating the toxic masculinity in soccer locker rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘I'm here to create change’

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

However, he is critical of Fifa, after Qatar, where same-sex relationships are against the law, staged the global tournament in 2022.

Future World Cup will be held in Saudi Arabia, where same-sex attraction is also illegal.

“Do I approve that the World Cup is in nations that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be imprisoned for merely living on that land? It's scary,” states Cavallo.

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

“It's devastating that people are getting locked up for being who they are.

“Certain nations that are significant soccer markets and they don't accept LGBTQ+ people. These places that tend to target 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 inform individuals 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 what I'm here for.”