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

Since revealing he was gay in 2021, footballer the athlete has faced constant threats and hateful comments on social media.

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

“I'm trying to get better as a player and be the best I can be during matches, and then face criticism due to my identity. It's disgusting.”

Player the sportsman was at Adelaide United four years ago when he emerged as the sole publicly out elite soccer player in the world.

Recently he departed from Australia to sign with non-league Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in National League North, one level below of the English soccer system.

This young athlete combines playing for the semi-professional team by advocating for inclusion matters and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on social media - to promote fairness and acceptance.

“Absolutely, we've got mountains to do,” the footballer says when asked if football still has a problem with discrimination.

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

‘People want to harm me’

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

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

Cavallo was twenty-one 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 wanted to take the next step.”

His emotional coming out video, entitled ‘Josh's Truth’, gained massive attention on digital platforms.

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

A prominent club were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to show solidarity with Cavallo, with then manager the German manager saying: “I'm really thankful that he did it because it sparks conversation.”

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also offered support, posting online that “soccer culture is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United issued a statement supporting their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.

Some people, however, were not so accepting.

The footballer quickly became a target of homophobic abuse by rival supporters.

In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were penalized A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from spectators aimed toward Cavallo during a game.

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

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

There was a frightening incident at a petrol station in Australia, where Cavallo was assaulted by someone who recognised him from the coverage.

“That was a scary moment,” he recalls. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is happening - people want to harm me’.

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

“I hope that future individuals who comes out while playing football at a professional standard doesn't have to experience the journey I have experienced.”

The player says the constant menacing messages and abusive messages have affected his mental health.

“It's disappointing 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 ‘what gives you the right in football?’.

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

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

The player's choice to disclose his orientation helped inspire teenage attacking player another athlete to come out as the UK's only openly gay playing soccer professional in May 2022.

Nevertheless, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the Premier League.

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

“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. There are a lot of scary things that would come this person's way. Within soccer culture, identifying as LGBTQ is a highly hostile environment.”

Twenty-seven years after a pioneering player - the UK's initial out soccer professional - took his own life in 1998, the current athlete has spoken about the “toxic masculinity” that persists in men's football.

“Simply attend to a match and observe the hostile environment and male-dominated culture that the crowd brings,” he explains.

“Much remains to be done to make sure there is a safe space in football for people like myself and Jake.

“Progress has been limited (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as much as we would like.

“I can only keep pushing for principles I believe in, and work towards taking out the toxic masculinity in soccer locker rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

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

Yet, he is disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, after the Middle Eastern nation, where same-sex relationships are illegal, hosted the men's World Cup 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 criminalise same-sex marriages, where individuals like myself will be imprisoned for just existing on that land? It's frightening,” says the athlete.

“I receive communications [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I face imprisonment for my identity - can you help me?’.

“It breaks my heart that people are getting locked up for their true selves.

“There are countries that are significant soccer markets and they reject LGBTQ+ people. These places that tend to target me.”

Nevertheless, the footballer says he won't cease advocating.

“Football has enabled dialogue in the changing room. It lets me communicate and educate people who seek understanding.

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

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