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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, footballer the athlete has faced constant threats and hateful comments on social media.

“When I first saw these messages, it broke my heart,” the player states. “Nobody should have to endure such words.

“I'm working to improve my skills and be the best I can be during matches, and then face criticism because of who I am. It's disgusting.”

Midfielder the sportsman was playing for Adelaide United four years ago when he emerged as the sole publicly out top-flight male professional footballer in the world.

Recently he departed from Australia to sign with non-league Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, one level below of the English soccer system.

The 25-year-old balances his sports career for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by advocating for inclusion matters and leveraging his platform - he has more than one million followers on social media - to champion equality and acceptance.

“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” Cavallo says 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 Cavallo to build up the bravery to say “I'm gay” before coming out on October 27th, 2021.

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

The player was 21 and making a name for himself at his Australian club in Australia's top flight when, with the support of his team-mates, he publicly came out.

“I didn't know what was ahead. I had no expectations,” he says. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”

His emotional coming out video, entitled ‘Josh's Truth’, gained massive attention on social media.

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

Liverpool were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to express support for the player, with the coach at the time Jurgen Klopp saying: “I'm really thankful that he took this step because it sparks conversation.”

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also offered support, writing on social media that “the world of football is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club issued a statement supporting their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.

Some people, however, were not so accepting.

Cavallo soon turned into a subject to anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.

During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from fans aimed toward Cavallo during a match.

“The comments I encountered were hurtful 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 petrol station in Australia, where the athlete was assaulted by an individual who identified him from the coverage.

“It was terrifying,” he remembers. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is happening - individuals intend to hurt me’.

“Should this be tolerated? Definitely not. But by coming out, this is what it brings.

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

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

“It's disappointing 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 smiling, optimistic person. But there are days when I lean on my fiance, his name, and he witnesses much of what occurs behind the scenes.”

‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’

Cavallo's decision to reveal his sexuality helped prompt teenage attacking player another athlete to announce he was gay as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in May 2022.

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

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

“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. 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 a pioneering player - the UK's initial out soccer professional - took his own life in 1998, the current athlete has spoken about the “harmful male culture” that still exists in men's football.

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

“There is still a lot of work to ensure there is a safe space in soccer for individuals like me and Jake.

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

“My role is to continue advocating for principles I believe in, and work towards eliminating the harmful male norms in football changing rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

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

Yet, 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.

Future World Cup will be held in another Gulf state, where same-sex attraction is similarly prohibited.

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

“I receive communications [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for being who I am - is assistance possible?’.

“It's devastating that people are getting locked up for their true selves.

“There are countries that are huge in terms of football and they reject the queer community. These places that tend to target me.”

Nevertheless, Cavallo says he won't cease advocating.

“Soccer has allowed me to start conversations in the locker room. It lets me communicate and educate people who seek understanding.

“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.”