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

Since revealing his homosexuality 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,” 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 appalling.”

Player Cavallo was at Adelaide United back in 2020 when he became the only openly gay elite soccer player in the world.

This summer he departed from Australia to sign with non-league Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, one level below of the English soccer system.

The 25-year-old combines playing for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by advocating for LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - he has more than one million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and inclusion.

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

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

‘People want to harm me’

Several years passed for Cavallo to build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” before coming out on 27 October 2021.

“All I want to do is compete in soccer and receive fair treatment,” he stated in an related clip.

The player was 21 and making a name for himself at his Australian club in Australia's top flight when, with the support of his team-mates, he announced his orientation publicly.

“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he says. “It felt like the right time 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. It was overwhelming.”

A prominent club were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for the player, with the coach at the time Jurgen Klopp saying: “I appreciate that he took this step because now we talk again.”

Spanish player the athlete also offered support, writing on social media that “soccer culture is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United released a comment backing their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.

Some people, however, were not so accepting.

Cavallo quickly became a subject to anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.

In January 2022 a competing team were fined five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from fans directed at Cavallo 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 Cavallo was assaulted by an individual who identified him from the coverage.

“That was a scary moment,” he recalls. “I remember thinking ‘this is happening - people want to harm me’.

“Should this be tolerated? Definitely not. But through my disclosure, 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 daily death threats and abusive messages have taken a toll on his psychological well-being.

“It's disappointing because I must justify why I deserve a place on the soccer pitch for my identity,” 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 sometimes when I rely on my partner, Leighton, and he witnesses a lot that happens privately.”

‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’

The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped prompt 17-year-old attacking player another athlete to come out as the UK's only openly gay playing soccer professional in May 2022.

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

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

“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.”

Over two decades after a pioneering player - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - took his own life in 1998, the current athlete has spoken about the “harmful male culture” that still exists in men's football.

“You just need to go to a game and observe the unfriendly atmosphere and male-dominated culture that the audience creates,” he explains.

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

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

“I can only keep pushing for what I think is right, and strive for eliminating the harmful male norms in football changing rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘I'm here to create change’

Cavallo says soccer has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about coming out.

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.

The 2034 tournament is scheduled in another Gulf state, where same-sex attraction is also illegal.

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

“I get messages [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I face imprisonment for my identity - can you help me?’.

“It's devastating that people are getting locked up for being who they are.

“There are countries that are huge in terms of football and they reject LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”

Despite this, 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 educate people who want to learn more.

“Some will disapprove for who you are. But I have found my family. I've connected with similar people.

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