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

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

“Upon reading those comments, it broke my heart,” the player states. “No-one wants to read things like that.

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

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

This summer he departed from Australia to join lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in the sixth division, the sixth tier of the English soccer system.

The 25-year-old balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on social media - to champion equality and inclusion.

“Definitely, 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 hearing about an issue.”

‘People want to harm me’

It took years for the athlete to build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.

“My only desire is play football and receive fair treatment,” he stated in an accompanying video.

The player was 21 and building his reputation at his Australian club in the premier division 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 needed to move forward.”

The heartfelt revelation clip, titled ‘Josh's Truth’, gained massive attention on digital platforms.

“My phone was flooded with messages of support. It was overwhelming.”

A prominent club were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to show solidarity with the player, with then manager the German manager saying: “I'm really thankful that he took this step because now we talk again.”

Barcelona defender the athlete also offered support, writing on social media that “the world of football is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club released a comment backing their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.

Some people, however, were not so accepting.

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

During early 2022 a competing team were penalized A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from spectators directed at Cavallo during a match.

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

“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”

A scary event occurred at a gas station in Australia, where the athlete was assaulted by an individual who identified him from the media attention.

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

“Should this be tolerated? Definitely not. But through my disclosure, this is what it brings.

“My wish is that future individuals who comes out while competing in soccer at a professional standard doesn't have to experience the path I have endured.”

Cavallo says the daily death threats and abusive messages have taken a toll on his psychological well-being.

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

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

“A lot of people see me as a cheerful, optimistic person. But there are days when I lean on my fiance, his name, and he witnesses a lot that happens 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 announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay active male professional footballer in spring 2022.

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

“It would create massive change,” comments the footballer on the impact a Premier League player 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 a pioneering player - the UK's initial out soccer professional - died by suicide in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “harmful male culture” that still exists in men's football.

“You just need to go to a game and observe the hostile environment and male-dominated culture that the audience creates,” he says.

“Much remains to be done to make sure there is a secure environment in soccer for people like myself and Jake.

“Progress has been limited (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as much as we would like.

“My role is to continue advocating for principles I believe in, and work towards taking out the harmful male norms in soccer locker rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘I'm here to create change’

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

However, he is critical of Fifa, after the Middle Eastern nation, where same-sex relationships are illegal, staged the global tournament in 2022.

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

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

“I receive communications [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I face imprisonment for being who I am - can you help me?’.

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

“There are countries that are significant soccer markets and they reject the queer community. These places that often focus on me.”

Nevertheless, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.

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

“Some will disapprove for your identity. But I've discovered support. I've connected with similar people.

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