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“You shouldn't exist” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Stop breathing.”

Since revealing he was gay in 2021, footballer Josh Cavallo has received daily death threats and abusive messages on social media.

“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” Cavallo explains. “Nobody should have to endure such words.

“I'm working to improve my skills and be the best I can be during matches, 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 compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of English football.

This young athlete combines playing for the semi-professional team by advocating for inclusion matters and using his profile - he has more than one million followers on Instagram - to champion equality and inclusion.

“Definitely, we've got mountains to do,” the footballer comments when questioned about ongoing issues with discrimination.

“I don't go more than a week without encountering problems.”

‘Individuals wish to hurt me’

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

“The future was uncertain. I didn't know what to expect,” he recalls. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”

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

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

A prominent club were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to express support for the player, 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 offered support, posting online that “the world of football is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United released a comment supporting their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.

Others, however, were less welcoming.

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

In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from spectators directed at Cavallo during a match.

“The comments I encountered were hurtful and derogatory towards my community,” he says.

“I didn't react because responding would encourage detractors.”

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

“It was terrifying,” he recalls. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is happening - individuals intend to hurt me’.

“Is it acceptable? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, these are the consequences.

“My wish is that future individuals who reveals their orientation while competing in soccer at a high level won't face the path I have experienced.”

Cavallo says the constant menacing messages and hostile communications have taken a toll on his psychological well-being.

“It's quite sad because I am having to explain why I belong on the soccer pitch for being who I am,” he says.

“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.

“Many individuals see me as a smiling, 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’

The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped prompt 17-year-old Blackpool forward Jake Daniels to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in spring 2022.

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

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

“But I must be honest. There are a lot of scary things that would come this person's way. In the world of football, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”

Twenty-seven years after a pioneering player - the UK's initial out soccer professional - took his own life in 1998, Cavallo has discussed the “toxic masculinity” that still exists in professional soccer.

“You just need to go to a match and see the hostile environment and masculinity that the audience creates,” he says.

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

“Progress has been limited (more players coming out) as frequently as desired.

“I can only keep pushing for what I think is right, and work towards taking out the harmful male norms in soccer locker rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘I'm here to create change’

Cavallo says soccer has allowed him to have conversations within team environments about revealing one's orientation.

Yet, he is disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, after the Middle Eastern nation, where same-sex relationships are against the law, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.

Future World Cup will be held in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is also illegal.

“Am I impressed that the World Cup is in countries that ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be imprisoned for just existing on that land? It's scary,” says the athlete.

“I receive communications [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I face imprisonment for being who I am - is assistance possible?’.

“It's devastating 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. These places that often focus on me.”

Nevertheless, Cavallo says he won't cease advocating.

“Football has allowed me to start conversations in the changing room. It has allowed me to speak and inform individuals who seek understanding.

“Some will disapprove for your identity. But I have found my family. I've connected with similar people.

“My mission is to drive progress. That's what I'm here for.”