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

After announcing he was gay in 2021, player Josh Cavallo has received daily death threats and abusive messages on social media.

“Upon reading those comments, it broke my heart,” the player explains. “Nobody should have to endure such words.

“I'm working to improve my skills and reach my full potential during matches, and then face criticism because of who I am. It's disgusting.”

Player the sportsman was playing for Adelaide United back in 2020 when he became the only openly gay top-flight male professional footballer in the world.

This summer he left Australia to join lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of English football.

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

“Definitely, there's enormous work ahead,” the footballer says when questioned about ongoing issues with discrimination.

“Rarely a week passes without hearing about an issue.”

‘People want to harm me’

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

“My only desire is play football and be treated equally,” he said in an accompanying video.

The player was twenty-one and building his reputation at his Australian club in the premier division when, backed by his colleagues, he announced his orientation publicly.

“The future was uncertain. I didn't know what to expect,” he says. “It felt like the right time in my life. I needed to move forward.”

The heartfelt revelation clip, titled ‘Josh's Truth’, gained massive attention on digital platforms.

“My phone was flooded with messages of support. The response was incredible.”

Liverpool were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for the player, with the coach at the time Jurgen Klopp saying: “I'm really thankful that he did it because it sparks conversation.”

Spanish player Gerard Pique also expressed backing, posting online that “soccer culture is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United released a comment backing their “remarkable” and “brave” player.

Others, however, were less welcoming.

Cavallo quickly became a target of homophobic abuse by opposition fans.

During early 2022 a competing team were fined A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from spectators aimed toward Cavallo during a match.

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

“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”

There was a frightening incident at a gas station in Australia, where Cavallo was assaulted by an individual who identified him from the coverage.

“That was a scary moment,” he remembers. “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 the next person who comes out while playing football at a high level doesn't have to experience the path I have experienced.”

The player says the constant menacing messages and abusive messages have affected his psychological well-being.

“It's disappointing 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 ‘why should you exist in football?’.

“Many individuals see me as a cheerful, optimistic person. But there are days when I rely on my partner, his name, and he witnesses a lot that happens privately.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

The player's choice to reveal his sexuality 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.

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

“It would move mountains,” says the footballer on the effect a elite athlete revealing their orientation would make.

“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects that would come this person's way. Within soccer culture, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”

Twenty-seven years after a pioneering player - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - took his own life in 1998, Cavallo has discussed the “harmful male culture” that persists in men's football.

“Simply attend to a match and see the unfriendly atmosphere and masculinity that the crowd brings,” he says.

“Much remains to be done to ensure there is a safe space in football for individuals like me and his colleague.

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

“My role is to continue advocating for principles I believe in, and strive for eliminating the harmful male norms in football changing rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

The player says football has allowed him to have conversations inside dressing rooms about coming out.

Yet, he is disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, after Qatar, where homosexual partnerships are illegal, staged the global tournament in 2022.

The 2034 tournament will be held in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is also illegal.

“Am I impressed that the global championship is in countries that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be imprisoned for just existing on that land? It's scary,” says the athlete.

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

“It's devastating that individuals are incarcerated for their true selves.

“Certain nations that are huge in terms of football and they reject LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that often focus on me.”

Nevertheless, Cavallo 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 seek understanding.

“Not everyone is going to like you for your identity. But I have found my family. I've connected with similar people.

“My purpose is to drive progress. That's my objective.”