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

Since revealing his homosexuality in 2021, footballer Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and hateful comments on social media.

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

“I'm working to improve my skills and reach my full potential on the pitch, and then get put down due to my identity. It's appalling.”

Player the sportsman was playing for Adelaide United back in 2020 when he became the only openly gay elite soccer player in the world.

Recently he left Australia to join non-league Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in the sixth division, the sixth tier of the English soccer system.

This young athlete combines playing for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by speaking up on inclusion matters and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and inclusion.

“Definitely, there's enormous work ahead,” the footballer comments when questioned about ongoing issues with discrimination.

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

‘People want to harm me’

Several years passed for the athlete to work up the courage to say “I'm gay” before coming out on 27 October 2021.

“All I want to do is play football and receive fair treatment,” he said in an related clip.

Cavallo was 21 and building his reputation at Adelaide United in Australia's top flight when, with the support of his team-mates, he publicly came out.

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

The heartfelt revelation clip, entitled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral on social media.

“My phone was flooded with encouraging words. It was overwhelming.”

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

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also expressed backing, posting online 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.

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 fans aimed toward Cavallo during a match.

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

“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”

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

“It was terrifying,” he recalls. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is happening - people want to harm me’.

“Should this be tolerated? Absolutely not. But by coming out, 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 journey I have endured.”

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

“It's disappointing because I must justify why I belong on the soccer pitch 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 smiling, optimistic person. But there are days when I lean on my fiance, Leighton, and he witnesses much of what occurs privately.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped inspire 17-year-old attacking player another athlete to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out playing soccer professional in May 2022.

However, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the Premier League.

“It would move mountains,” says Cavallo on the effect a Premier League player coming out would make.

“But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would come this person's way. Within soccer culture, identifying as LGBTQ is a highly hostile environment.”

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 still exists in men's football.

“Simply attend to a match and see the hostile environment and male-dominated culture that the crowd brings,” he says.

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

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

“My role is to continue advocating for principles I believe in, and strive for eliminating the harmful male norms in soccer locker rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

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

However, he is critical of Fifa, after Qatar, where homosexual partnerships are illegal, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.

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

“Do I approve that the global championship is in countries that ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for merely living 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 people are getting locked up for their true selves.

“There are countries that are huge in terms of football 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.

“Football has allowed me to start conversations in the locker room. It lets me communicate and inform individuals who want to learn more.

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

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