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

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

“When I first saw these messages, 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 during matches, and then face criticism due to my identity. It's appalling.”

Midfielder Cavallo was playing for Adelaide United four years ago when he became the only openly gay top-flight male professional footballer in the world.

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

The 25-year-old balances his sports career for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by advocating for inclusion matters and leveraging his platform - he has more than one million followers on social media - to champion equality and inclusion.

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

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

‘Individuals wish to hurt me’

It took years for Cavallo to build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” before coming out on October 27th, 2021.

“All I want to do is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he stated in an accompanying video.

Cavallo was twenty-one and making a name for himself at his Australian club in Australia's top flight when, backed by his colleagues, he publicly came out.

“I didn't know what was ahead. I had no expectations,” he recalls. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I needed to move forward.”

The heartfelt revelation clip, titled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral on social media.

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

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 Jurgen Klopp saying: “I'm really thankful that he did it because it sparks conversation.”

Barcelona defender the athlete also offered support, writing on social media that “the world of football is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United issued a statement supporting their “remarkable” and “courageous” player.

Others, however, were not so accepting.

Cavallo soon turned into a target of anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.

In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from fans directed at the player during a game.

“The comments I encountered were painful and derogatory towards LGBTQ people,” he says.

“I didn't react because I knew that would only feed the haters.”

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

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

“Is it acceptable? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, this is what it brings.

“I hope that future individuals who comes out while competing in soccer at a high level doesn't have to experience the journey I have endured.”

The player says the constant menacing messages and hostile communications have taken a toll on his mental health.

“It's quite sad because I must justify why I belong on the football field for my identity,” he says.

“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.

“Many individuals see me as a smiling, optimistic person. But sometimes when I lean on my fiance, 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 inspire teenage attacking player Jake Daniels to announce he was gay as the Britain's sole publicly out playing soccer professional in spring 2022.

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

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

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

Twenty-seven years after Justin Fashanu - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - took his own life in 1998, Cavallo has spoken about 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 explains.

“Much remains to be done to make sure there is a secure environment in football for people like myself and his colleague.

“We haven't seen it (more players coming out) as much as we would like.

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

‘My mission is to drive progress’

The player says football has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about coming out.

Yet, he is critical of soccer's global governing body, after Qatar, where same-sex relationships are illegal, staged the global tournament in 2022.

Future World Cup is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, 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 imprisoned for just existing on that land? It's frightening,” states Cavallo.

“I receive communications [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for being who I am - can you help me?’.

“It breaks my heart that individuals are incarcerated for being who they are.

“Certain nations that are huge in terms of football and they don't accept the queer community. These places that tend to target me.”

Nevertheless, Cavallo says he won't cease advocating.

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

“Some will disapprove for your identity. But I have found my family. I have found my community.

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