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

Since revealing his homosexuality in 2021, player Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and hateful comments on social media.

“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” Cavallo explains. “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 face criticism due to my identity. It's appalling.”

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.

Recently he departed from Australia to sign with lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of English football.

This young athlete balances his sports career for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on social media - to promote fairness and acceptance.

“Definitely, we've got mountains to do,” Cavallo says when asked if football still has a problem with discrimination.

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

‘People want to harm me’

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

“All I want to do is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he stated in an accompanying video.

Cavallo was 21 and building his reputation at his Australian club in the premier division 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, entitled ‘His Personal Story’, gained massive attention on digital platforms.

“My phone was flooded with encouraging words. It was overwhelming.”

A prominent club were among numerous famous teams around the world to show solidarity with Cavallo, with the coach at the time Jurgen Klopp saying: “I appreciate that he took this step because it sparks conversation.”

Spanish player the athlete also offered support, posting online that “the world of football is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United issued a statement supporting their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.

Others, however, were less welcoming.

Cavallo quickly became a target of anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.

During early 2022 a competing team were penalized five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from spectators aimed toward the player during a match.

“The comments I encountered were painful 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 the athlete 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? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, this is what it brings.

“My wish is that future individuals who comes out while playing football at a professional standard doesn't have to experience the journey I have experienced.”

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

“It's disappointing because I am having to explain why I belong on the soccer pitch for my identity,” he states.

“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.

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

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

The player's choice to disclose his orientation helped prompt 17-year-old attacking player Jake Daniels to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay playing soccer professional in spring 2022.

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

“It would create massive change,” comments the footballer on the effect a elite athlete coming out would have.

“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.”

Over two decades after a pioneering player - the UK's initial out soccer professional - took his own life in 1998, the current athlete has spoken about the “harmful male culture” that persists in men's football.

“Simply attend to a match and see the hostile environment and male-dominated culture that the audience creates,” he explains.

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

“Progress has been limited (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as frequently as desired.

“I can only keep pushing for what I think is right, and work towards eliminating 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 revealing one's orientation.

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

Future World Cup is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.

“Am I impressed that the global championship is in countries that ban gay unions, where people like me will be imprisoned for just existing on their territory? It's scary,” says Cavallo.

“I get messages [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for my identity - is assistance possible?’.

“It breaks my heart that people are getting locked up for being who they are.

“There are countries that are significant soccer markets and they reject the queer community. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”

Nevertheless, the footballer 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 mission is to drive progress. That's my objective.”