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“You don't belong on this earth” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Stop breathing.”

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

“When I first saw these messages, I was devastated,” the player explains. “No-one wants to read things like that.

“I'm working to improve my skills and be the best I can be on the pitch, and then get put down because of who I am. It's disgusting.”

Midfielder Cavallo was at Adelaide United four years ago when he emerged as the sole publicly out elite soccer player in the world.

Recently he left Australia to sign with lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in the sixth division, one level below of English football.

This young athlete balances his sports career for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - he has more than one million followers on social media - to promote fairness and inclusion.

“Definitely, there's enormous work ahead,” the footballer comments when questioned about ongoing issues with homophobia.

“I don't go more than a week without hearing about an issue.”

‘People want to harm 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.

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

The player was 21 and making a name for himself at Adelaide United in the premier division when, backed by his colleagues, he publicly came out.

“I didn't know what was ahead. I had no expectations,” he says. “It felt like the right time in my life. I needed to move forward.”

The heartfelt revelation clip, entitled ‘His Personal Story’, gained massive attention on social media.

“My mobile phone exploded with messages of support. It was overwhelming.”

Liverpool were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to express support for Cavallo, with then manager Jurgen Klopp saying: “I appreciate that he did it because now we talk again.”

Barcelona defender the athlete also offered support, posting online that “soccer culture is lagging behind and you are helping us move forward”, while his former club issued a statement backing their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.

Some people, however, were less welcoming.

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

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

“The things I'd hear were hurtful and derogatory towards my community,” he explains.

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

There was a frightening incident at a petrol station in Australia, where Cavallo was physically attacked by an individual who identified him from the media attention.

“That was a scary moment,” he recalls. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is happening - people want to harm me’.

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

“I hope that the next person who reveals their orientation while playing football at a high level won't face the journey I have endured.”

The player says the daily death threats and abusive messages have affected his psychological well-being.

“It's quite sad because I am having to explain why I belong on the soccer pitch for being who I am,” he states.

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

“A lot of people see me as a cheerful, positive person. But sometimes when I lean on my fiance, Leighton, and he witnesses a lot that happens behind the scenes.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

Cavallo's decision to reveal his sexuality helped prompt teenage Blackpool forward Jake Daniels to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in spring 2022.

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

“It would move mountains,” says the footballer on the impact a elite athlete revealing their orientation 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.”

Twenty-seven years after a pioneering player - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - died by suicide in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “toxic masculinity” that persists in men's football.

“You just need to go to a game and see the unfriendly atmosphere and masculinity that the crowd brings,” he says.

“Much remains to be done to make sure there is a safe space in football for individuals like me and Jake.

“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 harmful male norms 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 disapproving toward Fifa, after the Middle Eastern nation, where homosexual partnerships are against the law, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.

The 2034 tournament will be held in Saudi Arabia, where same-sex attraction is similarly prohibited.

“Do I approve that the global championship is in nations that ban gay unions, where people like me will be put in prison for just existing on their territory? It's scary,” says Cavallo.

“I get messages [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I face imprisonment for being who I am - can you help me?’.

“It breaks my heart that individuals are incarcerated for their true selves.

“There are countries that are huge in terms of football and they don't accept the queer community. These places that often focus on me.”

Nevertheless, Cavallo says he won't cease advocating.

“Football has enabled dialogue in the changing room. It lets me communicate and educate people who want to learn more.

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

“My mission is to create change. That's my objective.”