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“You don't belong on this earth” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”

After announcing his homosexuality in 2021, footballer Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and abusive messages on social media.

“When I first saw these messages, 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 on the pitch, and then face criticism because of who I am. It's appalling.”

Midfielder Cavallo was playing for Adelaide United four years ago when he became the only openly gay top-flight male professional footballer in the world.

Recently he left Australia to join 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 speaking up on inclusion matters and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and acceptance.

“Definitely, we've got mountains to do,” 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 the athlete to work up the courage to say “I'm gay” before coming out on 27 October 2021.

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

The player was twenty-one and making a name for himself at his Australian club in the premier division when, backed by his colleagues, he announced his orientation publicly.

“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he recalls. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I needed to move forward.”

The heartfelt revelation clip, entitled ‘Josh's Truth’, went viral on digital platforms.

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

A prominent club were among numerous famous teams around the world to show solidarity with the player, with then manager Jurgen Klopp saying: “I'm really thankful that he did it because now we talk again.”

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also offered support, writing on social media that “soccer culture is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club issued a statement backing their “remarkable” and “courageous” player.

Some people, however, were less welcoming.

Cavallo quickly became a target of homophobic abuse by rival supporters.

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

“The things I'd hear were hurtful and disparaging towards my community,” 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 an individual who identified him from the coverage.

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

“Should this be tolerated? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, these are the consequences.

“I hope that future individuals who reveals their orientation while competing in soccer at a high level doesn't have to experience the path I have endured.”

Cavallo says the daily death threats and hostile communications have taken a toll on his mental health.

“It's disappointing because I must justify why I belong on the soccer pitch for my identity,” he says.

“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, Leighton, and he gets to see much of what occurs privately.”

‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’

The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped inspire 17-year-old Blackpool forward Jake Daniels to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay playing soccer professional in spring 2022.

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

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

“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects that would come this person's way. In the world of football, identifying as LGBTQ is a highly hostile environment.”

Twenty-seven years after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - took his own life in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “toxic masculinity” that persists in men's football.

“You just need to go to a match and see the hostile environment and masculinity that the audience creates,” he explains.

“Much remains to be done to make sure there is a secure environment in football for individuals like me and Jake.

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

“I can only keep pushing for what I think is right, and work towards taking out the harmful male norms in football changing rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

Cavallo says football has enabled discussions within team environments about coming out.

However, he is disapproving toward Fifa, after the Middle Eastern nation, where same-sex relationships are illegal, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.

Future World Cup is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is also illegal.

“Do I approve that the global championship is in countries that ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for just existing on that land? It's frightening,” says the athlete.

“I get messages [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I face imprisonment 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 LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that often focus on me.”

Nevertheless, the footballer says he won't cease advocating.

“Soccer has enabled dialogue in the changing room. It lets me communicate and educate people who want to learn more.

“Not everyone is going to like you for your identity. But I have found my family. I have found my community.

“My purpose is to drive progress. That's my objective.”