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

After announcing his homosexuality in 2021, player the athlete has received daily death threats and hateful comments on social media.

“When I first saw these messages, I was devastated,” Cavallo explains. “Nobody should have to endure such words.

“I'm trying to get better as a player and reach my full potential during matches, and then get put down due to my identity. It's disgusting.”

Midfielder the sportsman was playing for 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 join non-league Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of the English soccer system.

The 25-year-old combines playing for the semi-professional team by advocating for LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - he has more than one million followers on Instagram - to champion equality and inclusion.

“Definitely, we've got mountains to do,” Cavallo comments when questioned about ongoing issues with homophobia.

“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.

“My only desire is play football and be treated equally,” he said in an related clip.

Cavallo 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.

“I didn't know what was ahead. I had no expectations,” he recalls. “It felt like the right time in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”

The heartfelt revelation clip, entitled ‘Josh's Truth’, gained massive attention on social media.

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

Liverpool were among numerous famous teams around the world to show solidarity with 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 expressed backing, posting online that “the world of football is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United issued a statement backing their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.

Some people, however, were not so accepting.

Cavallo soon turned into a target of homophobic abuse by opposition fans.

During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from spectators aimed toward Cavallo during a game.

“The comments I encountered were painful 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 Cavallo was assaulted by an individual who identified him from the media attention.

“It was terrifying,” 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, this is what it brings.

“My wish is that future individuals who comes out while playing football at a professional standard won't face the journey I have endured.”

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

“It's quite sad because I am having to explain why I belong on the football field for my identity,” he says.

“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.

“Many individuals see me as a cheerful, optimistic person. But sometimes when I rely on my partner, Leighton, and he witnesses a lot that happens behind the scenes.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped prompt 17-year-old attacking player another athlete to announce he was gay as the Britain's sole publicly out playing soccer professional in spring 2022.

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

“It would create massive change,” says Cavallo on the impact a Premier League player coming out would have.

“But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. In the world of football, identifying as LGBTQ is a highly hostile environment.”

Over two decades after a pioneering player - the UK's initial out soccer professional - took his own life in 1998, Cavallo has spoken about the “toxic masculinity” that persists in professional soccer.

“Simply attend to a game and observe the unfriendly atmosphere and masculinity that the crowd brings,” he says.

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

“We haven't seen it (more players coming out) as frequently as desired.

“My role is to continue advocating for what I think is right, and work towards eliminating the harmful male norms in football changing rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

The player says soccer has allowed him to have conversations within team environments about coming out.

However, he is disapproving toward Fifa, after Qatar, where homosexual partnerships are against the law, staged the global tournament in 2022.

Future World Cup is scheduled in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is also illegal.

“Am I impressed that the World Cup is in nations that criminalise same-sex marriages, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for merely living on their territory? It's frightening,” says Cavallo.

“I receive communications [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 individuals are incarcerated for being who they are.

“Certain nations that are huge in terms of football and they don't accept LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that often focus on me.”

Despite this, Cavallo says he won't cease advocating.

“Football has enabled dialogue in the locker room. It lets me communicate 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 create change. That's what I'm here for.”