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“You don't belong on this earth” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Stop breathing.”

Since revealing he was gay in 2021, footballer Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and hateful comments on social media.

“When I first saw these messages, I was devastated,” Cavallo states. “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 get put down due to my identity. 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 departed from Australia to join non-league Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, one level below of English football.

The 25-year-old combines playing for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by speaking up on inclusion matters and using his profile - he has more than one million followers on social media - to promote fairness and inclusion.

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

“Rarely a week passes without encountering problems.”

‘People want to harm me’

Several years passed for Cavallo 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 said in an accompanying video.

Cavallo was 21 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 didn't know what to expect,” he says. “It felt like the right time in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”

The heartfelt revelation clip, entitled ‘His Personal Story’, gained massive attention on social media.

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

A prominent club were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to express support for the player, with the coach at the time the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he took this step because it sparks conversation.”

Spanish player the athlete also expressed backing, posting online that “soccer culture is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club issued a statement supporting their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.

Some people, however, were not so accepting.

Cavallo quickly became a subject to anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.

In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from spectators directed at the player during a match.

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

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

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

“It was terrifying,” he recalls. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is happening - individuals intend to hurt me’.

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

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

Cavallo says the constant menacing messages and abusive messages have taken a toll on his psychological well-being.

“It's quite sad because I must justify why I belong on the football field for my identity,” he says.

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

“A lot of people see me as a smiling, optimistic person. But there are days when I lean on my fiance, his name, and he witnesses much of what occurs privately.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

Cavallo's decision to reveal his sexuality helped prompt teenage attacking player another athlete to come out as the UK's only openly gay playing soccer professional in May 2022.

Nevertheless, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the Premier League.

“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. There are a lot of scary things that would await this individual. In the world of football, identifying as LGBTQ is a very toxic place.”

Over two decades after a pioneering player - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - died by suicide in 1998, Cavallo has spoken about the “harmful male culture” that persists in men's football.

“Simply attend to a game and observe the unfriendly atmosphere 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 individuals like me and his colleague.

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

“I can only keep pushing for what I think is right, and strive for taking out the toxic masculinity in football changing rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘I'm here to create change’

The player says soccer has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about coming out.

However, he is disapproving toward Fifa, after the Middle Eastern nation, where same-sex relationships are illegal, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.

Future World Cup will be held in another Gulf state, where same-sex attraction is similarly prohibited.

“Am I impressed that the global championship is in countries that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be put in prison for merely living on their territory? It's scary,” states Cavallo.

“I get messages [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for my identity - can you help me?’.

“It's devastating that people are getting locked up for their true selves.

“There are countries that are huge in terms of football and they don't accept the queer community. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”

Nevertheless, the footballer says he will not stop speaking up.

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

“Some will disapprove for who you are. But I have found my family. I have found my community.

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