‘I am a footballer and I am gay’: the statement of Josh Cavallo, who seeks to generate a change in football

Australian footballer Josh Cavallo announced his homosexuality on Wednesday in an emotional video published on social networks, which has been applauded and supported by elite colleagues and former athletes.

“It has 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 struggling with my sexuality for more than six years and I am happy to be able to park it, ”stated the Adelaide United midfielder, 21, in a video shared on your club account.

The young man, who defined himself as a “very reserved” person, He told how he always felt the need to hide because he was ashamed of his homosexuality.

“Ashamed that he would never be able to do what he loved and be gay. Hiding who he really was, to pursue a dream I always wanted as a child. Playing soccer and being treated the same as everyone else never seemed like a reality, ”said Cavallo.

The young man recounted how being a gay footballer made him learn to hide his feelings “to fit the professional footballer mold” and described how “growing up gay and playing soccer were two worlds whose paths had never crossed.”

“I’ve lived with the assumption that this was an issue I could never talk about,” he said.

In this sense, he stated that he wanted to change the silence with which other players live their sexuality, by become the first active senior footballer to publicly declare that he is gay.

Former Australian footballer Craig Foster, a prominent human rights activist, applauded Cavallo’s message on social media.

“No one should have to hide who they are, the ball does not care about color, race, religion, gender or sexuality,” remarked Foster, international with his country on 29 occasions.

Adelaide United teammates also publicly showed their support for the Australian player, including Spaniard Javi Lopez, who played more than 250 games for Espanyol de Barcelona.

“Congratulations on your courage and proud of you,” said the Spanish footballer.

The closest case is that of fellow Australian Andy Brennan, who in 2019 declared himself gay when he played in the Australian second division, although he had previously played in the country’s top flight for Newcastle Jets.

Thomas Hitzlsperger, former German player for Aston Villa, Stuttgart, Lazio, West Ham, Wolfsburg and Everton is the most prominent footballer to have recognized his homosexuality, but he did so a year after his retirement in 2013.

American Robbie Rogers, who came to play for Leeds in the English Premier League, also revealed that he was gay after hanging up his boots that same year.

Support in the elite of the sport

Gerard Piqué, Antoine Griezmann, Pau Gasol and other personalities from the sport expressed their support for Australian footballer Josh Cavallo.

“Hey, @JoshuaCavallo, I don’t have the pleasure of meeting you personally, but I want to thank you for the step you take. The world of football is far behind and you are helping us to move forward, ”wrote Gerard Piqué, quoting the tweet with Cavallo’s images.

Atlético de Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann was another player who gave his voice of support. “Proud of you,” the Frenchman trilled next to an image with part of the message that the 21-year-old left-back released.

Pau Gasol, a historian of Spanish basketball who retired from the activity a few weeks ago, expressed his opinion on this announcement: “In 2021 this should not be news. Thank you for this step forward for the sport. Well said, @JoshuaCavallo! ”.

“All the best from the Netherlands,” the publication also commented on the account of the Go Ahead Eagles, a Dutch team that disputes the Eredivisie and which joined the solidarity demonstrations. (D).