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

Since revealing he was gay in 2021, player the athlete has faced constant threats and hateful comments on online platforms.

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

“I'm trying to get better as a player and reach my full potential on the pitch, and then face criticism due to my identity. It's disgusting.”

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

This summer he departed from Australia to sign with lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of English football.

The 25-year-old balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by speaking up on inclusion matters and leveraging his platform - he has more than one million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and inclusion.

“Definitely, we've got mountains to do,” the footballer says when asked if football still has a problem with homophobia.

“Rarely a week passes 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 October 27th, 2021.

“All I want to do is play football and receive fair treatment,” he said in an related clip.

Cavallo was twenty-one and making a name for himself at his Australian club in Australia's top flight when, backed by his colleagues, he announced his orientation publicly.

“I didn't know what was ahead. 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, titled ‘Josh's Truth’, gained massive attention on digital platforms.

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

Liverpool were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to show solidarity with Cavallo, with then manager the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he took this step because it sparks conversation.”

Barcelona defender the athlete also expressed backing, writing on social media that “the world of football is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United released a comment supporting their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.

Some people, however, were not so accepting.

The footballer quickly became a target of anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.

In January 2022 a competing team were fined A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from spectators directed at the player during a game.

“The things I'd hear were painful and disparaging towards LGBTQ people,” he says.

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

A scary event occurred at a petrol station in Australia, where the athlete was physically attacked by someone who recognised him from the coverage.

“It was terrifying,” he remembers. “I remember thinking ‘this is real - people want to harm me’.

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

“My wish is that future individuals 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 affected his mental health.

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

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

“Many individuals 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 reveal his sexuality helped inspire 17-year-old Blackpool forward another athlete to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out playing soccer professional in spring 2022.

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

“It would create massive change,” comments the footballer on the impact a elite athlete coming out would have.

“But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. In the world of football, being an openly gay player is a highly hostile environment.”

Over two decades after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - died by suicide in 1998, Cavallo has spoken about the “harmful male culture” that persists in professional soccer.

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

“Much remains to be done to make sure there is a safe space in football for people like myself and his colleague.

“We haven't seen it (more players coming out) as much as we would like.

“I can only keep pushing for what I think is right, and strive for taking out the toxic masculinity in soccer locker rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘I'm here to create change’

The player says football has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.

However, he is disapproving toward 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 Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.

“Do I approve that the global championship is in nations that ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for just existing on that land? It's scary,” says the athlete.

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

“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. These places that tend to target me.”

Nevertheless, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.

“Football has enabled dialogue in the changing room. It lets me communicate and educate people who seek understanding.

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

“My purpose is to drive progress. That's my objective.”