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“You shouldn't exist” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”

After announcing his homosexuality in 2021, player the athlete has faced constant threats and hateful comments on social media.

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

“I'm working to improve my skills and reach my full potential on the pitch, and then face criticism because of who I am. It's disgusting.”

Midfielder Cavallo was at Adelaide United four years ago when he became the only openly gay top-flight male professional footballer in the world.

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

The 25-year-old 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 Instagram - to promote fairness and acceptance.

“Definitely, we've got mountains to do,” the footballer comments when questioned about ongoing issues with homophobia.

“Rarely a week passes 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 compete in soccer and receive fair treatment,” he said in an related clip.

The player was 21 and making a name for himself at his Australian club in Australia's top flight when, with the support of his team-mates, he announced his orientation publicly.

“I didn't know what was ahead. I had no expectations,” he recalls. “It felt like the right time in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”

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

“My mobile phone exploded with encouraging words. The response was incredible.”

A prominent club 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 now we talk again.”

Spanish player Gerard Pique also offered support, writing on social media that “the world of football is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United issued a statement backing their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.

Some people, however, were not so accepting.

Cavallo quickly became a subject to homophobic abuse by rival supporters.

In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were penalized A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from spectators aimed toward Cavallo during a game.

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

“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”

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

“It was terrifying,” he remembers. “I remember thinking ‘this is happening - individuals intend to hurt 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 competing in soccer at a professional standard won't face the journey I have experienced.”

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

“It's disappointing because I must justify why I deserve a place on the football field 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, optimistic person. But there are days when I lean on my fiance, Leighton, and he gets to see a lot that happens privately.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped inspire 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 no openly gay or bisexual players in the Premier League.

“It would create massive change,” says Cavallo 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 very toxic place.”

Over two decades after a pioneering player - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - died by suicide in 1998, Cavallo has discussed the “harmful male culture” that still exists in men's football.

“You just need to go to a game and observe the unfriendly atmosphere and male-dominated culture that the crowd brings,” he explains.

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

“We haven't seen it (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as much as we would like.

“I can only keep pushing for what I think is right, and work towards taking out the harmful male norms in soccer locker 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 revealing one's orientation.

However, he is critical of soccer's global governing body, after the Middle Eastern nation, where same-sex relationships are illegal, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.

Future World Cup will be held in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is also illegal.

“Do I approve that the World Cup is in countries that ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be imprisoned for just existing on their territory? It's frightening,” says the athlete.

“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 people are getting locked up for being who they are.

“There are countries that are huge in terms of football and they reject LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”

Despite this, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.

“Football has enabled dialogue in the changing 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 my objective.”