He is now the world's only openly gay male top-flight professional footballer
Adelaide United footballer Josh Cavallo has come out as gay in an historic moment for the LGBT+ community in sport.
In a video posted to the club's social media pages, he said: "There's something personal that I need to share with everyone. I am a footballer and I am gay.
"Growing up, I always felt the need to hide myself," he continued.
"I was ashamed - ashamed I would never be able to do what I love and be gay.
"All I want to do is play football and be treated equally.
"I'm tired... Trying to perform at the best of your ability and to live this double life. It's exhausting."
https://twitter.com/AdelaideUnited/status/1453173351396958208
He also posted a written statement to his own account, saying: "It's been a journey to get to this point in my life, but I couldn't be happier with my decision to come out."
"I have been fighting my sexuality for six years now, and I am glad we can put that to rest.'
https://twitter.com/JoshuaCavallo/status/1453172151914168320
Cavallo hopes that his brave decision to come out will allow other players in the same situation to tell their truth.
"It is astonishing to know that there are currently no gay professional footballers who are out and actively playing," he said.
"Not only in Australia, but around the world. Hopefully this will change in the near future."
