Josh Cavallo feels "overwhelmed" by the global response to it, that he comes out as gay, and says, that it's time, for football to "change" and become a more welcoming environment for LGBT+ players.
In a landmark moment for inclusivity in football, the Adelaide United Australian midfielder turned to his coaches a few weeks ago and announced this to his teammates the Wednesday before, as he posted an emotional video on social media.
He revealed in the video, that he struggled with his sexuality for about six years and said, that he "couldn't be happier" with his decision after that, who felt "isolated" for a long time.
Cavallo is the world's only known professional gay footballer, who currently plays in the top league, with only a handful of players having previously made public appearances during their careers and described by his A-League club as "remarkable and brave". “person.
His heartfelt video was met with widespread positivity from across the football world, with Liverpool among the clubs and players, Manchester City, Barcelona, Juventus, Antoine Griezmann, Raphael Varane to Gerard Pique, who praised the 21-year-old for his courage. .
He said Onlinebetnews News: “I want to get the message out into the world, to show, that it doesn't matter, who are you, what you believe in or what culture or background you come from, everyone is accepted in football. It should be based on your talent. not for this, what you look like or what you believe.
“At the end of the day, we are in the year 2021 and it's time to change that in football. To have this day today, I am so overwhelmed and happy with the response, which I received.
“I was very shocked and taken aback by the fact, that this message went around the world. I am so honored and grateful, that clubs bypass me, players bypass me and eventually I get to it, to answer everyone. I am grateful for your support, so thank you all.
“I struggled with it a lot, that I couldn't look at anyone and know, that no one has done before, so it was hard for me to get out and it took me about six years. So I understand the pain, I know, what is it like” you like to live in the shadows and live a double life and lie to people, that you care about.”
There are no active players in any of the professional leagues in England or Scotland, who would publicly come out as gay or bisexual in a men's game, and there has never been a player in the Premier League.
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand revealed to a joint parliamentary committee of MPs and peers about the Online Safety Act last month, that he encouraged the football player, to come out, but the lawyer later advised him, not to do it.
Cavallo added: “I know, that there is someone behind the screen all over the world, where has anyone gone through the same thing, what about me.
“So if I can make it easy for them and show them, what a great response I'm getting, they should be more comfortable being themselves and I hope, that no one will have to do that in the next few years, what did i do today.
“It was very difficult, isolated process. I found out, that I got kicked out of the team, not in a bad way, but only because, to protect myself, I took myself away from situations, like going out for coffee with your teammates and hanging out.” outside of football with my teammates, because I didn't want to be asked questions and lie and get caught in those lies.
“So it's a very isolated and lonely process and I don't want to, for someone else to go through, what I experienced.
“I'm still the same person and the same player. If anything, this will improve my career for the better. Now I can play freely, so i'm proud, that I can do it.”
“Yes, i play football and yes, I'm gay, what's wrong with that?”
Cavallo not only feels encouraged by the response to that, that he publicly came out as gay, but he thinks, that the announcement will advance his own career and is grateful for the support, which he received from his teammates and club staff at Adelaide United.
He added: “It started with my coaches, when I told them about four or five weeks ago. I didn't expect a reaction, which I received from them, they wrapped their arms around me and made me realize, that it's okay to be yourself.”
"They said: 'We won't treat you any differently, we'll treat you like Josh, who we knew before' and that really gave me the confidence to expand into the team and show, that I am not afraid to show who I am Yes, i play football and yes, I'm gay, what's wrong with that?
"I had the best training after this [telling my coaches]. It felt so good, tell two people and know, that they are fine with it in the football industry, it was phenomenal.
“I can't wait, when will I return to the field and now, when everyone knows, my teammates know it too and everyone is fine.”
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