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

Since revealing his homosexuality in 2021, player the athlete has faced constant threats and abusive messages on online platforms.

“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” Cavallo states. “No-one wants to read things like that.

“I'm trying to get better as a player and be the best I can be on the pitch, and then get put down because of who I am. 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 the sixth division, one level below of English football.

The 25-year-old balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by advocating for LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on Instagram - to champion equality and acceptance.

“Absolutely, we've got mountains to do,” the footballer comments when asked if football still has a problem with discrimination.

“I don't go more than a week without encountering problems.”

‘People want to harm me’

It took years for Cavallo to build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” before coming out on October 27th, 2021.

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

The player was 21 and building his reputation at Adelaide United in the premier division when, backed by his colleagues, he announced his orientation publicly.

“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he says. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I needed to move forward.”

His emotional coming out video, entitled ‘Josh's Truth’, gained massive attention on digital platforms.

“My mobile phone exploded with encouraging words. It was overwhelming.”

Liverpool were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for Cavallo, with then manager the German manager saying: “I'm really thankful that he took this step because now we talk again.”

Spanish player Gerard Pique also offered support, posting online that “soccer culture is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club released a comment supporting their “remarkable” and “brave” player.

Others, however, were less welcoming.

Cavallo soon turned into a target of homophobic abuse by rival supporters.

During early 2022 a competing team were penalized A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from spectators directed at Cavallo during a match.

“The comments I encountered were painful and disparaging towards my community,” he explains.

“I remained calm because I knew that would only feed the haters.”

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. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is happening - individuals intend to hurt me’.

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

“I hope that the next person who comes out while playing football at a professional standard doesn't have to experience the journey I have endured.”

Cavallo says the constant menacing messages and hostile communications have affected his mental health.

“It's quite sad because I must justify why I deserve a place on the soccer pitch for my identity,” he states.

“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.

“Many individuals see me as a cheerful, optimistic person. But sometimes when I lean on my fiance, his name, and he gets to see a lot that happens behind the scenes.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

The player's choice to disclose his orientation helped prompt teenage Blackpool forward another athlete to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay active male professional footballer in May 2022.

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

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

“But I must be honest. There are a lot of scary things that would come this person's way. Within soccer culture, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”

Over two decades after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - died by suicide in 1998, Cavallo has discussed the “toxic masculinity” that persists in professional soccer.

“Simply attend to a match and observe the unfriendly atmosphere and masculinity that the audience creates,” he says.

“There is still a lot of work to ensure there is a safe space in soccer for people like myself and Jake.

“Progress has been limited (more players coming out) as frequently as desired.

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

‘My mission is to drive progress’

Cavallo says football has allowed him to have conversations within team environments about coming out.

Yet, he is disapproving toward Fifa, after the Middle Eastern nation, where homosexual partnerships are illegal, staged the global tournament in 2022.

Future World Cup will be held in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is also illegal.

“Do I approve that the global championship is in countries that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be imprisoned for merely living on that land? It's scary,” states Cavallo.

“I receive communications [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I face imprisonment for being who I am - is assistance possible?’.

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

“There are countries that are huge in terms of football and they reject the queer community. These places that often focus on me.”

Nevertheless, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.

“Football has allowed me to start conversations in the locker room. It lets me communicate and inform individuals 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 my objective.”