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

Since revealing 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 explains. “Nobody should have to endure such words.

“I'm working to improve my skills and reach my full potential on the pitch, and then face criticism due to my identity. It's disgusting.”

Player the sportsman was playing for Adelaide United four years ago when he became the only openly gay elite soccer player in the world.

Recently he departed from Australia to sign with lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of the English soccer system.

The 25-year-old combines playing for the semi-professional team by advocating for inclusion matters and using his profile - he has more than one million followers on social media - to promote fairness and acceptance.

“Absolutely, we've got mountains to do,” Cavallo comments when asked if football still has a problem 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'm gay” before coming out on October 27th, 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 Adelaide United in Australia's top flight when, backed by his colleagues, he publicly came out.

“I didn't know what was ahead. I didn't know what to expect,” he recalls. “It felt like the right time in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”

His emotional coming out video, titled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral on social media.

“My phone was flooded with encouraging words. It was overwhelming.”

Liverpool 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 now we talk again.”

Spanish player the athlete also expressed backing, writing on social media that “soccer culture is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club issued a statement supporting their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.

Others, however, were less welcoming.

The footballer quickly became a subject to homophobic abuse by opposition fans.

In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were penalized A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from fans aimed toward the player during a match.

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

“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”

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

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

“Should this be tolerated? Absolutely not. But by coming out, these are the consequences.

“I hope that future individuals who comes out while playing football at a professional standard doesn't have to experience the journey I have experienced.”

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

“It's quite sad because I must justify why I belong on the soccer pitch 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 lean on my fiance, Leighton, and he witnesses much of what occurs privately.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

The player's choice to disclose his orientation helped prompt 17-year-old attacking player Jake Daniels to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in May 2022.

However, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the top English division.

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

“But I must be honest. There are a lot of scary things that would come this person's way. Within soccer culture, identifying as LGBTQ is a very toxic place.”

Over two decades after Justin Fashanu - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - died by suicide in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “harmful male culture” that persists in professional soccer.

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

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

“Progress has been limited (more players coming out) as much as we would like.

“I can only keep pushing for principles I believe in, and work towards taking out the toxic masculinity in soccer locker rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

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

However, he is disapproving toward Fifa, after Qatar, where homosexual partnerships are illegal, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.

The 2034 tournament is scheduled in another Gulf state, where same-sex attraction is also illegal.

“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 that land? It's scary,” says the athlete.

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

“It's devastating that individuals are incarcerated for their true selves.

“Certain nations that are significant soccer markets and they reject LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”

Nevertheless, the footballer 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 want to learn more.

“Some will disapprove for your identity. But I've discovered support. I have found my community.

“My purpose is to create change. That's what I'm here for.”