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“You shouldn't exist” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Stop breathing.”

Since revealing his homosexuality in 2021, player Josh Cavallo has received daily death threats and hateful comments on online platforms.

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

“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.”

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

This summer he left Australia to sign with lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of English football.

The 25-year-old balances his sports career for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by speaking up on inclusion matters and leveraging his platform - he has more than one million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and acceptance.

“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” Cavallo comments when questioned about ongoing issues with homophobia.

“Rarely a week passes without encountering problems.”

‘People want to harm me’

Several years passed for Cavallo to work up the courage to say “I am homosexual” before coming out on October 27th, 2021.

“All I want to do is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he stated in an related clip.

The player was twenty-one 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 says. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”

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

“My phone was flooded with messages of support. The response was incredible.”

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

Barcelona defender the athlete also expressed backing, writing on social media that “soccer culture is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while his former club released a comment supporting their “remarkable” and “courageous” player.

Some people, however, were not so accepting.

The footballer soon turned into a subject to homophobic abuse by rival supporters.

In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from spectators aimed toward Cavallo during a match.

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

“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”

There was a frightening incident at a gas station in Australia, where Cavallo was assaulted by someone who recognised him from the coverage.

“That was a scary moment,” he recalls. “I remember thinking ‘this is real - people want to harm me’.

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

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

The player says the constant menacing messages and abusive messages have taken a toll on his mental health.

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

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

“Many individuals see me as a cheerful, positive person. But there are days when I rely on my partner, Leighton, and he gets to see a lot that happens behind the scenes.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

Cavallo's decision to reveal his sexuality helped inspire teenage attacking player Jake Daniels to come out 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 move mountains,” says Cavallo on the effect 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 very toxic place.”

Over two decades 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 persists in professional soccer.

“Simply attend to a game and see the unfriendly atmosphere and male-dominated culture that the audience creates,” he explains.

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

“We haven't seen it (more players coming out) as frequently as desired.

“I can only keep pushing for principles I believe in, and strive for taking out the toxic masculinity in football changing rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

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

However, he is disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, after the Middle Eastern nation, where homosexual partnerships are against the law, staged the global tournament in 2022.

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

“Am I impressed that the global championship is in nations that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be imprisoned for just existing on their territory? It's scary,” says the athlete.

“I receive communications [from people living in these countries] 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 don't accept LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that often focus on me.”

Nevertheless, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.

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

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

“My mission is to create change. That's what I'm here for.”