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“You don't belong on this earth” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”

After announcing he was gay in 2021, footballer the athlete has received daily death threats and hateful comments on social media.

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

“I'm working to improve my skills and reach my full potential on the pitch, and then get put down because of who I am. It's appalling.”

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

Recently he left Australia to sign with non-league Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of the English soccer system.

This young athlete 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 promote fairness and acceptance.

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

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

‘People want to harm me’

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

“All I want to do is play football and be treated equally,” he said in an related clip.

The player was 21 and building his reputation at Adelaide United in the premier division when, backed by his colleagues, he announced his orientation publicly.

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

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

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

A prominent club were among numerous famous teams 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.”

Spanish player the athlete also expressed backing, writing on social media 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.

Others, however, were less welcoming.

Cavallo soon turned into a target of homophobic abuse by rival supporters.

In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were penalized A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from fans directed at the player during a match.

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

“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”

There was a frightening incident at a gas station in Australia, where the athlete was assaulted by someone who recognised him from the media attention.

“That was a scary moment,” he recalls. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is real - individuals intend to hurt me’.

“Should this be tolerated? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, these are the consequences.

“I hope that the next person who reveals their orientation while playing football at a high level doesn't have to experience the path I have endured.”

Cavallo says the daily death threats 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 being who I am,” he says.

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

“A lot of people see me as a smiling, positive person. But sometimes when I lean on my fiance, Leighton, and he gets to see a lot that happens privately.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

Cavallo's decision to disclose his orientation helped inspire 17-year-old attacking player another athlete to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out playing soccer professional in May 2022.

However, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the top English division.

“It would move mountains,” 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. Within soccer culture, being an openly gay player is a highly hostile environment.”

Over two decades after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - 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 match and observe the hostile environment 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 his colleague.

“Progress has been limited (more players coming out) as much as we would like.

“My role is to continue advocating for what I think is right, and strive for eliminating the toxic masculinity in soccer locker rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

The player says soccer has enabled discussions within team environments about revealing one's orientation.

Yet, he is disapproving toward Fifa, after Qatar, where same-sex relationships are illegal, staged the global tournament in 2022.

Future World Cup is scheduled in another Gulf state, where same-sex attraction is similarly prohibited.

“Do I approve that the global championship is in nations that criminalise same-sex marriages, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for just existing on their territory? It's scary,” says the athlete.

“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 their true selves.

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

Nevertheless, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.

“Soccer has allowed me to start conversations in the changing room. It lets me communicate and educate people who seek understanding.

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

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