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“You don't belong on this earth” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Stop breathing.”

After announcing his homosexuality in 2021, footballer the athlete has faced constant threats and abusive messages on online platforms.

“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” the player explains. “Nobody should have to endure such words.

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

Player the sportsman was at Adelaide United back in 2020 when he emerged as the sole publicly out top-flight male professional footballer in the world.

This summer 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.

This young athlete balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on social media - to champion equality and inclusion.

“Absolutely, we've got mountains to do,” Cavallo 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 build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.

“All I want to do is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he said in an related clip.

The player was twenty-one and building his reputation at Adelaide United in the premier division when, backed by his colleagues, he announced his orientation publicly.

“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he says. “It felt like the right time in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”

His emotional coming out video, entitled ‘Josh's Truth’, went viral on digital platforms.

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

Liverpool were among numerous famous teams around the world to show solidarity with Cavallo, with the coach at the time Jurgen Klopp saying: “I'm really thankful that he did it because now we talk again.”

Spanish player the athlete 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.

Others, however, were not so accepting.

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

During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were penalized five thousand dollars over discriminatory chants from spectators directed at the player during a game.

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

“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”

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

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

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

“My wish is that future individuals who reveals their orientation while playing football at a high level doesn't have to experience the path I have experienced.”

The player says the constant menacing messages and abusive messages have affected his mental health.

“It's quite sad because I must justify why I deserve a place on the soccer pitch for being who I am,” he states.

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

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

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

The player's choice to disclose his orientation helped inspire 17-year-old attacking player another athlete to come out as the UK's only openly gay playing soccer professional in May 2022.

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

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

“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. There are a lot of scary things that would await this individual. Within soccer culture, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”

Twenty-seven years after a pioneering player - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - died by suicide in 1998, the current athlete has spoken about the “toxic masculinity” that persists in professional soccer.

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

“Much remains to be done to ensure there is a safe space in football for people like myself and his colleague.

“We haven't seen it (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as much as we would like.

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

‘My mission is to drive progress’

The player says football has allowed him to have conversations within team environments about revealing one's orientation.

Yet, he is disapproving toward Fifa, after the Middle Eastern nation, where same-sex relationships are against the law, staged the global tournament in 2022.

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

“Do I approve that the global championship is in nations that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be imprisoned for merely living on their territory? It's frightening,” says the athlete.

“I receive communications [from people living in these countries] 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 significant soccer markets and they reject the queer community. These places that often focus on me.”

Nevertheless, Cavallo says he won't cease advocating.

“Soccer has allowed me to start conversations in the changing room. It has allowed me to speak and educate people who want to learn more.

“Some will disapprove for who you are. But I have found my family. I've connected with similar people.

“My mission is to drive progress. That's what I'm here for.”