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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, player the athlete has faced constant threats and hateful comments on social media.

“When I first saw these messages, it broke my heart,” the player explains. “No-one wants to read things like that.

“I'm trying to get better as a player and reach my full potential during matches, and then get put down because of who I am. It's disgusting.”

Midfielder 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 National League North, one level below of English football.

The 25-year-old combines playing for the semi-professional team by speaking up on inclusion matters and using his profile - he has more than one million followers on Instagram - to champion equality and inclusion.

“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” Cavallo says when asked if football still has a problem with homophobia.

“Rarely a week passes without encountering problems.”

‘People want to harm me’

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

“All I want to do is compete in soccer and receive fair treatment,” he said in an accompanying video.

Cavallo was 21 and building his reputation at Adelaide United in Australia's top flight 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. “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 social media.

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

Liverpool were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to show solidarity with Cavallo, with then manager the German manager saying: “I'm really thankful that he took this step because it sparks conversation.”

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 supporting their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.

Some people, however, were not so accepting.

Cavallo soon turned into a subject to anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.

During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from fans aimed toward Cavallo during a match.

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

“I didn't react because responding would encourage detractors.”

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

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

“Is it acceptable? Absolutely 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 doesn't have to experience the path I have experienced.”

The player says the constant menacing messages and hostile communications have affected his psychological well-being.

“It's quite sad because I am having to explain why I belong on the soccer pitch for my identity,” he states.

“We don't sit straight people down 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 rely on my partner, his name, and he gets to see much of what occurs privately.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

Cavallo's decision to disclose his orientation helped inspire 17-year-old attacking player another athlete to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out playing soccer professional in spring 2022.

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

“It would create massive change,” says Cavallo on the impact a elite athlete revealing their orientation would have.

“But I must be honest. There are a lot of scary things that would come this person's way. In the world of football, being an openly gay player 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 spoken about the “toxic masculinity” that still exists in professional soccer.

“You just need to go to a match and observe the unfriendly atmosphere and male-dominated culture that the crowd brings,” he explains.

“Much remains to be done to ensure 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.

“My role is to continue advocating for what I think is right, and strive for taking out the toxic masculinity in football changing rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

Cavallo says soccer has enabled discussions within team environments about revealing one's orientation.

Yet, he is disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, after the Middle Eastern nation, where same-sex relationships are against the law, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.

Future World Cup will be held in Saudi Arabia, where same-sex attraction is similarly prohibited.

“Am I impressed that the global championship is in nations that ban gay unions, where people like me will be imprisoned for merely living on that land? It's scary,” says Cavallo.

“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 people are getting locked up 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.”

Nevertheless, Cavallo says he won't cease advocating.

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

“Some will disapprove for who you are. But I have found my family. I've connected with similar people.

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