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

After announcing his homosexuality in 2021, player the athlete has faced constant threats and hateful comments on online platforms.

“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” Cavallo explains. “No-one wants to read things like that.

“I'm working to improve my skills and be the best I can be on the pitch, and then face criticism because of who I am. It's disgusting.”

Midfielder Cavallo was at Adelaide United four years ago when he became the only openly gay elite soccer player in the world.

Recently he departed from Australia to join lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in the sixth division, the sixth tier of the English soccer system.

The 25-year-old combines playing for the semi-professional team by advocating for inclusion matters and leveraging his platform - he has more than one million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and inclusion.

“Definitely, there's enormous work ahead,” the footballer says when asked if football still has a problem with homophobia.

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

‘People want to harm me’

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

“My only desire is compete in soccer and receive fair treatment,” he stated in an accompanying video.

Cavallo was twenty-one and making a name for himself at Adelaide United in the premier division when, with the support of his team-mates, he publicly came out.

“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he says. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”

His emotional coming out video, titled ‘Josh's Truth’, gained massive attention on social media.

“My phone was flooded with messages of support. It was overwhelming.”

A prominent club were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for Cavallo, 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 offered support, writing on social media that “soccer culture is lagging behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United issued a statement supporting their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.

Others, however, were less welcoming.

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

During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were penalized five thousand dollars over discriminatory chants from spectators aimed toward the player during a match.

“The comments I encountered were hurtful and derogatory towards LGBTQ people,” he explains.

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

There was a frightening incident at a gas station in Australia, where the athlete was physically attacked by someone who recognised him from the coverage.

“It was terrifying,” he recalls. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is happening - individuals intend to hurt 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 doesn't have to experience the path I have experienced.”

The player says the daily death threats and hostile communications have taken a toll on his psychological well-being.

“It's disappointing because I must justify why I belong 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 smiling, optimistic person. But there are days when I lean on my fiance, his name, and he witnesses much of what occurs behind the scenes.”

‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’

The player's choice to disclose his orientation helped inspire 17-year-old attacking player another athlete to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in May 2022.

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

“It would create massive change,” says the footballer on the impact a elite athlete revealing their orientation would make.

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

Twenty-seven years after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - took his own life in 1998, Cavallo has discussed the “toxic masculinity” that persists in professional soccer.

“Simply attend to a match and observe 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 safe space 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 what I think is right, and work towards eliminating the toxic masculinity in soccer locker rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘I'm here to create change’

Cavallo says football has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.

Yet, he is disapproving toward Fifa, after the Middle Eastern nation, where homosexual partnerships are against the law, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.

The 2034 tournament will be held in another Gulf state, where same-sex attraction is similarly prohibited.

“Am I impressed that the World Cup is in countries that ban gay unions, where people like me will be put in prison for merely living on their territory? It's frightening,” says the athlete.

“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 being who they are.

“Certain nations that are huge in terms of football and they don't accept the queer community. Those are the countries that often focus on me.”

Despite this, the footballer says he will not stop speaking up.

“Football has enabled dialogue in the locker room. It has allowed me to speak and educate people who seek understanding.

“Some will disapprove for who you are. But I have found my family. I've connected with similar people.

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