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“You shouldn't exist” ... “Why are you 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, it broke my heart,” Cavallo states. “No-one wants to read things like that.

“I'm working to improve my skills and reach my full potential during matches, and then face criticism because of who I am. It's disgusting.”

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.

This summer he departed from Australia to join non-league Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences 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 inclusion matters and leveraging his platform - he has more than one million followers on social media - to promote fairness and acceptance.

“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” Cavallo 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’

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

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

The player was 21 and building his reputation at his Australian club in the premier division when, backed by his colleagues, he announced his orientation publicly.

“I didn't know what was ahead. I didn't know what to expect,” he recalls. “It felt like the right time in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”

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

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

Liverpool were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to express support for Cavallo, with then manager Jurgen Klopp saying: “I appreciate that he did it because now we talk again.”

Barcelona defender the athlete also expressed backing, writing on social media that “the world of football is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United released a comment backing their “remarkable” and “brave” player.

Others, however, were less welcoming.

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

In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from fans aimed toward the player during a game.

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

“I remained calm because I knew that would only feed the haters.”

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

“That was a scary moment,” he recalls. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is happening - people want to harm me’.

“Is it acceptable? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, these are the consequences.

“My wish is that the next person who comes out while competing in soccer at a high level won't face the journey I have endured.”

The player says the constant menacing messages and abusive messages have affected his mental health.

“It's quite sad because I must justify why I belong on the soccer pitch for being who I am,” he states.

“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.

“Many individuals see me as a cheerful, optimistic person. But sometimes when I lean on my fiance, his name, and he gets to see much of what occurs behind the scenes.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

Cavallo's decision to disclose his orientation helped prompt teenage attacking player another athlete to come out as the UK's only openly gay active male professional footballer in spring 2022.

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

“It would move mountains,” comments the footballer on the effect a elite athlete revealing their orientation would have.

“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. In the world of football, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”

Twenty-seven years after Justin Fashanu - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - took his own life in 1998, Cavallo has discussed the “toxic masculinity” that still exists in professional soccer.

“Simply attend to a match and observe the unfriendly atmosphere and masculinity that the crowd brings,” he explains.

“There is still a lot of work to ensure there is a secure environment in football for individuals like me and his colleague.

“Progress has been limited (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 establishing secure environments.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

Cavallo says football has allowed him to have conversations within team environments about coming out.

Yet, he is critical of Fifa, after the Middle Eastern nation, where same-sex relationships are illegal, staged the global tournament in 2022.

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

“Do I approve that the global championship is in nations that ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be imprisoned for just existing on their territory? It's scary,” says Cavallo.

“I receive communications [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for being who I am - is assistance possible?’.

“It breaks my heart that individuals are incarcerated for being who they are.

“Certain nations that are huge in terms of football and they don't accept LGBTQ+ people. These places 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 changing room. It lets me communicate and inform individuals 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.”