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

After announcing he was gay in 2021, footballer the athlete has received daily death threats and abusive messages on online platforms.

“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” the player explains. “No-one wants to read things like that.

“I'm working to improve my skills and be the best I can be during matches, and then get put down because of who I am. It's disgusting.”

Midfielder Cavallo was playing for Adelaide United four years ago when he became the only openly gay elite soccer player in the world.

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

This young athlete combines playing for the semi-professional team by advocating for LGBTQ+ issues 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 asked if football still has a problem 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 am homosexual” before coming out on 27 October 2021.

“My only desire is play football and be treated equally,” he said in an accompanying video.

Cavallo was twenty-one and making a name for himself 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. “It felt like the right time in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”

The heartfelt revelation clip, titled ‘Josh's Truth’, went viral on digital platforms.

“My phone was flooded with encouraging words. 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 appreciate that he did it because it sparks conversation.”

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also expressed backing, posting online that “the world of football is lagging behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United released a comment backing their “remarkable” and “courageous” player.

Some people, however, were less welcoming.

The footballer quickly became a subject to homophobic abuse by opposition fans.

In January 2022 a competing team were fined five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from spectators directed at the player during a game.

“The comments I encountered were hurtful and disparaging towards LGBTQ people,” he explains.

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

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

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

“Should this be tolerated? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, these are the consequences.

“I hope that future individuals who comes out while competing in soccer at a professional standard won't face the journey I have experienced.”

Cavallo says the constant menacing messages and hostile communications 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 says.

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

“Many individuals see me as a smiling, positive person. But there are days when I rely on my partner, his name, and he gets to see much of what occurs behind the scenes.”

‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’

Cavallo's decision to disclose his orientation helped prompt teenage attacking player 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 top English division.

“It would move mountains,” comments Cavallo on the impact a Premier League player coming out would have.

“But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects 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 “harmful male culture” that still exists in men's football.

“You just need to go to a match and see the hostile environment and male-dominated culture that the crowd brings,” he says.

“Much remains to be done to make sure there is a secure environment in football for people like myself and Jake.

“We haven't seen it (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 harmful male norms in soccer locker rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘I'm here to create change’

Cavallo says soccer has enabled discussions within team environments about coming out.

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

Future World Cup is scheduled in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.

“Am I impressed that the World Cup is in countries that criminalise same-sex marriages, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for merely living on that land? It's frightening,” says the athlete.

“I get messages [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 being who they are.

“There are countries that are huge in terms of football and they don't accept LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that often focus on me.”

Despite this, Cavallo says he won't cease advocating.

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

“Some will disapprove for your identity. But I have found my family. I have found my community.

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