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

After announcing his homosexuality in 2021, footballer the athlete has faced constant threats and hateful comments on social media.

“When I first saw these messages, I was devastated,” the player states. “Nobody should have to endure such words.

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

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

This summer he departed from Australia to sign with lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in the sixth division, one level below of English football.

The 25-year-old combines playing for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by speaking up on inclusion matters and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and acceptance.

“Absolutely, we've got mountains to do,” Cavallo 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 Cavallo to build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.

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

Cavallo was 21 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 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’, gained massive attention on social media.

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

Liverpool were among numerous famous teams around the world to show solidarity with the player, with then manager the German manager saying: “I'm really thankful that he did it because now we talk again.”

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also expressed backing, writing on social media that “the world of football is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United issued a statement supporting their “remarkable” and “courageous” player.

Some people, however, were less welcoming.

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

In January 2022 a competing team 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 responding would encourage detractors.”

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

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

“Is it acceptable? Absolutely not. But by coming out, this is what it brings.

“I hope that the next person who comes out while playing football at a high level doesn't have to experience the journey I have experienced.”

Cavallo says the constant menacing messages and abusive messages have affected his psychological well-being.

“It's disappointing because I am having to explain why I deserve a place on the soccer pitch for being who I am,” he states.

“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 rely on my partner, his name, and he gets to see much of what occurs privately.”

‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’

The player's choice to disclose his orientation helped inspire 17-year-old Blackpool forward Jake Daniels 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 Cavallo on the impact a elite athlete coming out 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, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”

Over two decades after Justin Fashanu - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - died by suicide in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “harmful male culture” that persists in men's football.

“You just need to go to a match and see the hostile environment and male-dominated culture that the audience creates,” he explains.

“Much remains to be done to ensure there is a safe space in football for people like myself and his colleague.

“We haven't seen it (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as frequently as desired.

“My role is to continue advocating for principles I believe in, and strive for taking out the toxic masculinity in soccer locker rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

The player says football has allowed him to have conversations within team environments about revealing one's orientation.

However, he is disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, after Qatar, where same-sex relationships are illegal, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.

The 2034 tournament will be held in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is also illegal.

“Do I approve that the global championship 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 - is assistance possible?’.

“It breaks my heart that people are getting locked up for being who they are.

“Certain nations that are significant soccer markets and they don't accept LGBTQ+ people. These places that tend to target me.”

Despite this, the footballer says he won't cease advocating.

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

“Not everyone is going to like you for who you are. But I have found my family. I have found my community.

“My mission is to drive progress. That's my objective.”