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“You shouldn't exist” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”

After announcing he was gay in 2021, player the athlete has faced constant threats and abusive messages 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 on the pitch, and then get put down because of who I am. It's disgusting.”

Player Cavallo was at Adelaide United back in 2020 when he became the only openly gay elite soccer player in the world.

Recently he left Australia to join lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in the sixth division, the sixth tier of the English soccer system.

The 25-year-old combines playing for the semi-professional team by advocating for LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on social media - to promote fairness and acceptance.

“Definitely, there's enormous work ahead,” the footballer 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 the athlete to build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” before coming out on October 27th, 2021.

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

Cavallo was twenty-one and making a name for himself at Adelaide United in the premier division when, backed by his colleagues, he publicly came out.

“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he recalls. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”

The heartfelt revelation clip, titled ‘Josh's Truth’, went viral on social media.

“My mobile phone exploded with encouraging words. It was overwhelming.”

Liverpool were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for Cavallo, with the coach at the time the German manager saying: “I'm really thankful that he did it because now we talk again.”

Spanish player the athlete also offered support, writing on social media that “the world of football is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while his former club issued a statement backing their “remarkable” and “brave” player.

Others, however, were less welcoming.

Cavallo quickly became a subject to homophobic abuse by rival supporters.

In January 2022 a competing team were fined A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from spectators aimed toward Cavallo during a match.

“The things I'd hear were hurtful and disparaging towards my community,” he says.

“I didn't react because I knew that would only feed the haters.”

There was a frightening incident at a petrol station in Australia, where the athlete was assaulted by someone who recognised him from the media attention.

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

“Is it acceptable? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, these are the consequences.

“My wish is that future individuals who comes out while competing in soccer at a high level won't face the path I have endured.”

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

“It's disappointing because I am having to explain why I belong on the football field for being who I am,” he says.

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

“A lot of people see me as a smiling, positive person. But there are days when I rely on my partner, Leighton, and he witnesses a lot that happens behind the scenes.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped prompt 17-year-old Blackpool forward another athlete to come out as the UK's only openly gay playing soccer professional in spring 2022.

Nevertheless, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the Premier League.

“It would move mountains,” comments Cavallo on the impact a elite athlete coming out would make.

“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.”

Over two decades after a pioneering player - the UK's initial out soccer professional - took his own life in 1998, Cavallo has discussed 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.

“There is still a lot of work to make sure there is a secure environment in football for people like myself and Jake.

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

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

‘I'm here to create change’

Cavallo says football has allowed him to have conversations within team environments about coming out.

Yet, he is critical of soccer's global governing body, after the Middle Eastern nation, where homosexual partnerships are illegal, staged the global tournament in 2022.

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

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

“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 people are getting locked up for being who they are.

“Certain nations that are huge in terms of football and they reject LGBTQ+ people. These places that tend to target me.”

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

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

“Not everyone is going to like you for your identity. But I've discovered support. I've connected with similar people.

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