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

After announcing he was gay in 2021, footballer Josh Cavallo has received daily death threats and hateful comments on social media.

“When I first saw these messages, I was devastated,” Cavallo explains. “No-one wants to read things like that.

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

Player Cavallo was at Adelaide United back in 2020 when he became the only openly gay elite soccer player in the world.

Recently he left Australia to join lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in the sixth division, one level below of the English soccer system.

This young athlete balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues and using his profile - he has more than one million followers on social media - to promote fairness and acceptance.

“Absolutely, we've got mountains to do,” the footballer says when questioned about ongoing issues with discrimination.

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

‘Individuals wish to hurt 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 compete in soccer and receive fair treatment,” he stated in an related clip.

Cavallo was twenty-one and building his reputation at his Australian club in Australia's top flight when, with the support of his team-mates, he publicly came out.

“I didn't know what was ahead. I had no expectations,” he recalls. “It felt like the right time in my life. I needed to move forward.”

The heartfelt revelation clip, entitled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral on digital platforms.

“My mobile phone exploded with encouraging words. The response was incredible.”

A prominent club were among numerous famous teams around the world to show solidarity with the player, with then manager Jurgen Klopp saying: “I appreciate that he did it because now we talk again.”

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also expressed backing, writing on social media that “soccer culture is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United released a comment backing their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.

Others, however, were not so accepting.

The footballer soon turned into a subject to anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.

During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were penalized A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from spectators directed at the player during a game.

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

“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”

A scary event occurred at a petrol station in Australia, where Cavallo was physically attacked by an individual who identified him from the media attention.

“It was terrifying,” he recalls. “I remember thinking ‘this is real - individuals intend to hurt me’.

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

“I hope that future individuals who reveals their orientation while competing in soccer at a high level won't face the path I have endured.”

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

“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 ‘why should you exist in football?’.

“A lot of people see me as a cheerful, positive person. But sometimes when I rely on my partner, his name, and he witnesses much of what occurs behind the scenes.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped inspire teenage Blackpool forward another athlete to come out as the UK's only openly gay active male professional footballer in May 2022.

However, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the Premier League.

“It would create massive change,” comments Cavallo on the impact a Premier League player coming out would make.

“But I must be honest. There are a lot of scary things that would await this individual. In the world of football, being an openly gay player is a highly hostile environment.”

Twenty-seven years after Justin Fashanu - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - took his own life in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “harmful male culture” that persists in professional soccer.

“You just need to go to a match and see the hostile environment and masculinity that the audience creates,” he says.

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

“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 strive for taking out the toxic masculinity in football changing rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘I'm here to create change’

Cavallo says football has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.

However, he is critical of Fifa, after Qatar, where same-sex relationships are illegal, staged the global tournament in 2022.

The 2034 tournament is scheduled in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is also illegal.

“Am I impressed that the global championship is in nations that ban gay unions, where people like me will be put in prison for just existing on that land? It's frightening,” states the athlete.

“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.

“There are countries that are significant soccer markets and they reject LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”

Despite this, the footballer says he won't cease advocating.

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

“Some will disapprove for your identity. But I have found my family. I've connected with similar people.

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