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

Since revealing his homosexuality in 2021, player Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and hateful comments on social media.

“When I first saw these messages, I was devastated,” the player states. “No-one wants to read things like that.

“I'm trying to get better as a player and be the best I can be during matches, and then face criticism due to my identity. It's appalling.”

Player Cavallo was at Adelaide United back in 2020 when he became the only openly gay top-flight male professional footballer in the world.

This summer he left Australia to sign with lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in the sixth division, the sixth tier of English football.

The 25-year-old combines playing for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by advocating for LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on social media - to champion equality and acceptance.

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

“I don't go more than a week without hearing about an issue.”

‘People want to harm me’

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

“All I want to do is play football and be treated equally,” he stated in an accompanying video.

The player was twenty-one and making a name for himself at his Australian club in the premier division when, with the support of his team-mates, he publicly came out.

“I didn't know what was ahead. I didn't know what to expect,” he recalls. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I needed to move forward.”

The heartfelt revelation clip, entitled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral on digital platforms.

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

A prominent club were among numerous famous teams around the world to show solidarity with the player, with then manager the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he did it because now we talk again.”

Spanish player Gerard Pique also expressed backing, writing on social media that “the world of football is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club released a comment backing their “remarkable” and “brave” player.

Others, however, were less welcoming.

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

During early 2022 a competing team were fined five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from fans aimed toward Cavallo during a game.

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

“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”

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

“It was terrifying,” he recalls. “I remember thinking ‘this is happening - individuals intend to hurt me’.

“Is it acceptable? Absolutely not. But by coming out, these are the consequences.

“I hope that future individuals who reveals their orientation while competing in soccer at a professional standard won't face the path I have experienced.”

Cavallo says the constant menacing messages and abusive messages have taken a toll on his psychological well-being.

“It's quite sad because I am having to explain why I belong on the football field for my identity,” he states.

“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.

“Many individuals see me as a smiling, positive person. But there are days when I lean on my fiance, Leighton, and he witnesses much of what occurs privately.”

‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’

The player's choice to disclose his orientation helped prompt teenage attacking player Jake Daniels to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay playing soccer professional in May 2022.

However, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the top English division.

“It would move mountains,” comments the footballer on the impact a elite athlete revealing their orientation would have.

“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. Within soccer culture, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”

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

“You just need to go to a match and observe the unfriendly atmosphere and masculinity that the audience creates,” he explains.

“Much remains to be done to make sure there is a safe space in soccer for individuals like me and his colleague.

“We haven't seen it (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as frequently as desired.

“I can only keep pushing for principles I believe in, and work towards eliminating the harmful male norms in football changing rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

The player says soccer has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about coming out.

Yet, he is disapproving toward Fifa, after Qatar, where homosexual partnerships are illegal, staged the global tournament in 2022.

The 2034 tournament will be held in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.

“Am I impressed that the global championship is in nations that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be imprisoned for just existing on that land? It's scary,” says Cavallo.

“I get messages [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for my identity - can you help me?’.

“It breaks my heart that individuals are incarcerated for their true selves.

“Certain nations that are huge in terms of football and they don't accept the queer community. Those are the countries that often focus on me.”

Nevertheless, the footballer says he won't cease advocating.

“Soccer has allowed me to start conversations in the changing 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've connected with similar people.

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