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

Since revealing his homosexuality in 2021, footballer the athlete has received daily death threats and abusive messages on online platforms.

“When I first saw these messages, it broke my heart,” the player states. “No-one wants to read things like that.

“I'm trying to get better as a player and be the best I can be during matches, and then get put down because of who I am. It's appalling.”

Midfielder the sportsman was at Adelaide United four years ago when he emerged as the sole publicly out top-flight male professional footballer 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 the English soccer system.

The 25-year-old combines playing 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 champion equality and inclusion.

“Definitely, there's enormous work ahead,” Cavallo says when questioned about ongoing issues with homophobia.

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

‘Individuals wish to hurt me’

Several years passed for Cavallo to work up the courage to say “I am homosexual” before revealing his sexuality on October 27th, 2021.

“All I want to do is play football and receive fair treatment,” he said in an related clip.

The player was 21 and building his reputation at Adelaide United in the premier division when, with the support of his team-mates, he announced his orientation publicly.

“I didn't know what was ahead. I had no expectations,” he says. “It felt like the right time in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”

The heartfelt revelation clip, entitled ‘Josh's Truth’, went viral on social media.

“My mobile phone exploded with encouraging words. It was overwhelming.”

A prominent club were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to show solidarity with Cavallo, with the coach at the time Jurgen Klopp saying: “I'm really thankful that he did it because now we talk again.”

Barcelona defender the athlete also expressed backing, writing on social media that “soccer culture is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United released a comment backing their “remarkable” and “brave” player.

Others, however, were not so accepting.

Cavallo soon turned into a subject to homophobic abuse by opposition fans.

In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were penalized A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from spectators aimed toward the player during a game.

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

“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”

A scary event occurred at a gas station in Australia, where Cavallo was assaulted by someone who recognised him from the coverage.

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

“Should this be tolerated? Absolutely 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 affected his mental health.

“It's quite sad because I am having to explain why I belong on the football field for my identity,” he states.

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

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

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

Cavallo's decision to disclose his orientation helped prompt teenage Blackpool forward Jake Daniels to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay active male professional footballer in May 2022.

Nevertheless, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the top English division.

“It would move mountains,” says Cavallo on the impact a elite athlete coming out would have.

“But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would come this person's way. Within soccer culture, being an openly gay player is a highly hostile environment.”

Over two decades after a pioneering player - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - died by suicide in 1998, the current athlete has spoken about the “toxic masculinity” that still exists in professional soccer.

“You just need to go to a game and observe the unfriendly atmosphere and male-dominated culture that the audience creates,” he explains.

“There is still a lot of work to make sure there is a secure environment in football for individuals like me and his colleague.

“We haven't seen it (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as much as we would like.

“I can only keep pushing for principles I believe in, and strive for eliminating the harmful male norms in football changing rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘I'm here to create change’

The player says football has allowed him to have conversations within team environments about coming out.

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

Future World Cup is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where same-sex attraction is also illegal.

“Am I impressed that the global championship is in nations that ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for just existing on their territory? It's frightening,” states Cavallo.

“I receive communications [from people living in these countries] 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 being who they are.

“Certain nations that are huge in terms of football and they reject the queer community. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”

Nevertheless, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.

“Football has enabled dialogue in the changing room. It has allowed me to speak and educate people who want to learn more.

“Not everyone is going to like you for who you are. But I've discovered support. I have found my community.

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