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

Since revealing he was gay in 2021, player Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and abusive messages on social media.

“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” the player states. “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 get put down due to my identity. It's appalling.”

Player the sportsman was at Adelaide United back in 2020 when he became the only openly gay top-flight male professional footballer in the world.

Recently he departed from Australia to sign with non-league Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of the English soccer system.

This young athlete combines playing for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by advocating for LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - he has more than one million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and acceptance.

“Definitely, we've got mountains to do,” the footballer says when questioned about ongoing issues with homophobia.

“I don't go more than a week without hearing about an issue.”

‘People want to harm me’

It took years for Cavallo to build up the bravery to say “I'm gay” before revealing his sexuality on October 27th, 2021.

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

The player was 21 and building his reputation at his Australian club in Australia's top flight when, backed by his colleagues, he announced his orientation publicly.

“I didn't know what was ahead. I had no expectations,” he says. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”

His emotional coming out video, entitled ‘Josh's Truth’, gained massive attention on digital platforms.

“My phone was flooded with encouraging words. The response was incredible.”

A prominent club were among numerous famous teams around the world to show solidarity with Cavallo, with then manager Jurgen Klopp saying: “I'm really thankful that he took this step because it sparks conversation.”

Spanish player Gerard Pique also expressed backing, writing on social media that “the world of football is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United released a comment backing their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.

Some people, however, were not so accepting.

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

During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were penalized A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from spectators directed at Cavallo during a match.

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

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

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

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

“Is it acceptable? Definitely not. But through my disclosure, this is what it brings.

“My wish is that future individuals who comes out while playing football at a professional standard won't face the path I have experienced.”

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

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

“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.

“Many individuals see me as a cheerful, positive person. But sometimes when I lean on my fiance, his name, and he witnesses much of what occurs privately.”

‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’

The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped inspire teenage Blackpool forward Jake Daniels to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out playing soccer professional in May 2022.

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

“It would move mountains,” says Cavallo on the effect a Premier League player revealing their orientation would make.

“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects that would come this person's way. 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, Cavallo has discussed the “harmful male culture” that persists in men's football.

“Simply attend to a match and observe the unfriendly atmosphere and male-dominated culture that the audience creates,” he says.

“There is still a lot of work to make sure there is a secure environment in soccer for individuals like me and Jake.

“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 strive for eliminating the toxic masculinity in football changing rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘I'm here to create change’

Cavallo says soccer has allowed him to have conversations within team environments about revealing one's orientation.

Yet, he is critical of Fifa, after Qatar, where homosexual partnerships are illegal, staged the global tournament in 2022.

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

“Do I approve that the World Cup is in nations that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be put in prison for just existing on that land? It's frightening,” states the athlete.

“I receive communications [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for my identity - 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 the queer community. Those are the countries that often focus on me.”

Despite this, the footballer says he will not stop speaking up.

“Soccer has enabled dialogue in the locker room. It lets me communicate and educate people who seek understanding.

“Some will disapprove for who you are. But I've discovered support. I've connected with similar people.

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