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“You shouldn't exist” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Stop breathing.”

After announcing his homosexuality in 2021, footballer Josh Cavallo has received daily death threats and hateful comments on online platforms.

“When I first saw these messages, I was devastated,” Cavallo states. “Nobody should have to endure such words.

“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.”

Midfielder the sportsman was playing for 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 play in front of crowds of about 400 in the sixth division, one level below of the English soccer system.

This young athlete balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by speaking up on inclusion matters and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on social media - to promote fairness and acceptance.

“Definitely, there's enormous work ahead,” the footballer comments when questioned about ongoing issues with discrimination.

“Rarely a week passes without encountering problems.”

‘Individuals wish to hurt me’

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

“All I want to do is compete in soccer and receive fair treatment,” he stated in an related clip.

Cavallo 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 had no expectations,” he says. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I needed to move forward.”

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

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

Liverpool were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to express support for Cavallo, with then manager Jurgen Klopp saying: “I'm really thankful that he took this step because now we talk again.”

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also offered support, posting online that “the world of football is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club issued a statement backing their “remarkable” and “brave” player.

Others, however, were less welcoming.

The footballer soon turned into a target of anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.

During early 2022 a competing team were fined A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from fans aimed toward the player during a game.

“The comments I encountered were painful and disparaging towards my community,” he says.

“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”

A scary event occurred at a petrol station in Australia, where Cavallo was physically attacked by an individual who identified him from the coverage.

“It was terrifying,” he recalls. “I remember thinking ‘this is happening - people want to harm me’.

“Should this be tolerated? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, these are the consequences.

“My wish is that the next person who reveals their orientation while competing in soccer at a professional standard doesn't have to experience the journey I have endured.”

The player says the daily death threats and abusive messages have taken a toll on his mental health.

“It's disappointing because I must justify why I belong on the soccer pitch for my identity,” he says.

“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.

“Many individuals see me as a smiling, optimistic person. But sometimes when I lean on my fiance, his name, and he witnesses a lot that happens behind the scenes.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

Cavallo's decision 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 May 2022.

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

“It would move mountains,” comments the footballer on the impact a Premier League player coming out would have.

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

Twenty-seven years after Justin Fashanu - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - died by suicide in 1998, the current athlete has spoken about the “harmful male culture” that persists in men's football.

“Simply attend to a match and see the unfriendly atmosphere and masculinity that the crowd brings,” he explains.

“There is still a lot of work to ensure there is a secure environment in football for people like myself and his colleague.

“Progress has been limited (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as much as we would like.

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

‘My mission is to drive progress’

Cavallo says soccer has enabled discussions within team environments about coming out.

However, he is disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, after Qatar, where homosexual partnerships are against the law, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.

The 2034 tournament is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.

“Am I impressed that the global championship is in countries that ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for just existing on their territory? It's frightening,” says the athlete.

“I receive communications [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I face imprisonment for being who I am - can you help me?’.

“It breaks my heart that people are getting locked up for being who they are.

“There are countries that are huge in terms of football and they don't accept LGBTQ+ people. These places that often focus on me.”

Despite this, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.

“Football has enabled dialogue in the changing room. It has allowed me to speak and inform individuals who want to learn more.

“Some will disapprove for who you are. But I have found my family. I have found my community.

“My purpose is to create change. That's my objective.”