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“You shouldn't exist” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”

Since revealing his homosexuality in 2021, player Josh Cavallo has received daily death threats and abusive messages on social media.

“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” Cavallo states. “Nobody should have to endure such words.

“I'm trying to get better as a player and reach my full potential on the pitch, and then get put down due to my identity. It's disgusting.”

Player the sportsman was playing for Adelaide United back in 2020 when he emerged as the sole publicly out top-flight male professional footballer in the world.

This summer he left Australia to join non-league Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in the sixth division, one level below of English football.

This young athlete balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by advocating for inclusion matters and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on social media - to promote fairness and inclusion.

“Absolutely, we've got mountains to do,” Cavallo says when questioned about ongoing issues with homophobia.

“I don't go more than a week without encountering problems.”

‘Individuals wish to hurt me’

It took years for the athlete to work up the courage to say “I am homosexual” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.

“My only desire is compete in soccer and receive fair treatment,” he said in an related clip.

Cavallo was twenty-one and making a name for himself at his Australian club in the premier division when, with the support of his team-mates, he announced his orientation publicly.

“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he says. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I needed to move forward.”

His emotional coming out video, titled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral on digital platforms.

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

Liverpool were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to express support for Cavallo, with the coach at the time the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he took this step because now we talk again.”

Barcelona defender the athlete also expressed backing, posting online that “the world of football is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while his former club issued a statement supporting their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.

Some people, however, were not so accepting.

Cavallo quickly became a target of homophobic abuse by rival supporters.

During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were penalized five thousand dollars over discriminatory chants from fans directed at the player during a match.

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

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

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

“It was terrifying,” he remembers. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is happening - 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 playing football at a professional standard doesn't have to experience the path I have experienced.”

The player says the constant menacing messages and abusive messages have taken a toll on his mental health.

“It's disappointing because I must justify why I deserve a place on the football field for my identity,” he says.

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

“Many individuals see me as a cheerful, optimistic person. But there are days when I lean on my fiance, Leighton, and he witnesses much of what occurs behind the scenes.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

Cavallo's decision to reveal his sexuality helped prompt 17-year-old attacking player another athlete to announce he was gay as the Britain's sole publicly out 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,” says the footballer on the impact a Premier League player coming out would have.

“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. In the world of football, identifying as LGBTQ is a highly hostile environment.”

Twenty-seven years after a pioneering player - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - died by suicide in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “harmful male culture” that persists in men's football.

“You just need to go to a game and observe the unfriendly atmosphere and masculinity that the audience creates,” he says.

“There is still a lot of work to make sure there is a safe space in soccer for individuals like me 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 work towards eliminating the harmful male norms in soccer locker rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘I'm here to create change’

The player says football has enabled discussions 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 is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is also illegal.

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

“I get messages [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I face imprisonment for being who I am - is assistance possible?’.

“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 LGBTQ+ people. These places that tend to target me.”

Nevertheless, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.

“Football has allowed me to start conversations in the changing room. It has allowed me to speak and inform individuals who seek understanding.

“Some will disapprove for who you are. But I've discovered support. I've connected with similar people.

“My mission is to create change. That's my objective.”