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

Since revealing his homosexuality in 2021, player Josh Cavallo has faced constant threats and hateful comments on online platforms.

“When I first saw these messages, it broke my heart,” the player states. “Nobody should have to endure such words.

“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.”

Player the sportsman was playing for 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 join 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 balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - he has more than one million followers on social media - to promote fairness and acceptance.

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

“Rarely a week passes without encountering problems.”

‘People want to harm me’

It took years for Cavallo to build up the bravery to say “I'm gay” 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 building his reputation at his Australian club in the premier division when, backed by his colleagues, he announced his orientation publicly.

“The future was uncertain. 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, titled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral 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 express support for the player, with the coach at the time Jurgen Klopp saying: “I'm really thankful that he took this step because it sparks conversation.”

Spanish player the athlete also expressed backing, posting online that “soccer culture is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United released a comment supporting their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.

Others, however, were not so accepting.

The footballer quickly became a subject to anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.

During early 2022 a competing team were fined A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from fans aimed toward the player during a game.

“The comments I encountered were hurtful and disparaging towards my community,” he says.

“I didn't react because responding would encourage detractors.”

A scary event occurred at a gas station in Australia, where Cavallo was physically attacked by an individual who identified him from the coverage.

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

“Should this be tolerated? Absolutely not. But by coming out, these are the consequences.

“My wish is that the next person who comes out while competing in soccer at a high level won't face the journey I have experienced.”

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 deserve a place on the football field for my identity,” he says.

“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.

“A lot of people see me as a smiling, optimistic person. But there are days when I rely on my partner, his name, and he gets to see much of what occurs behind the scenes.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

The player's choice to disclose his orientation helped prompt 17-year-old attacking player Jake Daniels to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in spring 2022.

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

“It would move mountains,” comments the footballer on the impact 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. In the world of football, 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 spoken about the “harmful male culture” that persists in men's football.

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

“There is still a lot of work to make sure there is a safe space in soccer for people like myself and his colleague.

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

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

‘My mission is to drive progress’

The player says football has allowed him to have conversations inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.

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

The 2034 tournament will be held in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.

“Do I approve that the global championship is in countries that ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for merely living on that land? It's frightening,” states the athlete.

“I get messages [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for my identity - is assistance possible?’.

“It's devastating that people are getting locked up for their true selves.

“Certain nations that are significant soccer markets and they reject the queer community. These places that often focus on me.”

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

“Football has allowed me to start conversations in the locker room. It has allowed me to speak and educate people who want to learn more.

“Not everyone is going to like you for who you are. But I've discovered support. I've connected with similar people.

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