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

Since revealing he was gay in 2021, player the athlete has faced constant 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 because of who I am. It's disgusting.”

Midfielder Cavallo was playing for Adelaide United four years ago when he emerged as the sole publicly out top-flight male professional footballer in the world.

Recently he departed from Australia to join lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of the English soccer system.

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

“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” the footballer says when asked if football still has a problem with discrimination.

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

‘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 October 27th, 2021.

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

Cavallo was twenty-one and building his reputation at Adelaide United in the premier division when, with the support of his team-mates, he announced his orientation publicly.

“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. It was overwhelming.”

Liverpool were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to express support for 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, posting online that “the world of football is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club released a comment backing their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.

Others, however, were less welcoming.

Cavallo soon turned into a subject to homophobic abuse by opposition fans.

During early 2022 a competing team were penalized five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from fans directed at Cavallo during a match.

“The comments I encountered were painful and derogatory towards LGBTQ people,” he explains.

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

There was a frightening incident at a gas station in Australia, where the athlete was physically attacked by someone who recognised him from the coverage.

“That was a scary moment,” he recalls. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is real - individuals intend to hurt me’.

“Should this be tolerated? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, these are the consequences.

“I hope that future individuals who reveals their orientation while competing in soccer at a high level doesn't have to experience the path I have experienced.”

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 deserve a place on the football field for being who I am,” he says.

“Heterosexual players aren't questioned 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’

Cavallo's decision to reveal his sexuality helped inspire 17-year-old Blackpool forward another athlete to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in May 2022.

However, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the top English division.

“It would create massive change,” says the footballer on the impact a Premier League player revealing their orientation would make.

“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects that would come this person's way. In the world of football, being an openly gay player is a highly hostile environment.”

Over two decades after a pioneering player - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - died by suicide in 1998, Cavallo 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 says.

“Much remains to be done to ensure there is a secure environment in football for people like myself and Jake.

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

“My role is to continue advocating for principles I believe in, and strive for taking out the toxic masculinity in football changing rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘I'm here to create change’

The player says soccer has enabled discussions within team environments about revealing one's orientation.

Yet, he is critical of soccer's global governing body, after the Middle Eastern nation, where homosexual partnerships are against the law, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.

Future World Cup is scheduled in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.

“Do I approve that the World Cup is in countries that criminalise same-sex marriages, where individuals like myself will be imprisoned for merely living on that land? It's frightening,” says Cavallo.

“I get messages [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for being who I am - is assistance possible?’.

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

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

Nevertheless, Cavallo says he won't cease advocating.

“Soccer has allowed me to start conversations in the changing room. It lets me communicate and educate people who seek understanding.

“Not everyone is going to like you for who you are. But I've discovered support. I have found my community.

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