BarcelonaFive words to change the century. “I’m a footballer and I’m gay.” Australian player Josh Cavallo made his homosexuality public in a video posted on social media that was applauded by fellow and elite athletes. “It’s been a journey to get to this point in my life, but I couldn’t be happier with my decision to get out of the closet. I’ve been struggling with my sexuality for over six years and I’m happy to be able to park it, “said the 21-year-old Adelaide United midfielder.
Cavallo, who defines himself as a “very reserved” person, explained how he had always felt the need to hide because he was ashamed of his homosexuality. “Ashamed that I would never be able to do what I loved and be gay. Hiding who I really was, to pursue a dream I always wanted as a child. Playing football and being treated like everyone else never seemed like a reality, ”said Cavallo. The young man recalled how being a gay footballer in the closet made him learn to hide his feelings “to fit into the mold of the professional footballer” and described how “growing up being gay and playing football were two worlds the paths of which they had never crossed ”.
“I have lived assuming that this was an issue I could never talk about,” he acknowledged. In this regard, he stated that he wanted to change the silence with which other players live their sexuality, by becoming one of the first high-level active footballers to publicly declare that he is gay.
The avalanche of congratulations was giant. Gerard Piqué, Barça’s defender, sent him a message of support. “I am not pleased to have met you personally, but I want to thank you for this step you are taking. The world of football is far behind and you are helping us move forward, “he wrote. The Barça club valued his gesture. “Thank you for taking a big step forward! Your courage contributes to normalizing diversity in the world of sport ”. Pau Gasol also celebrated the news.
Former Australian footballer Craig Foster, a prominent human rights activist, applauded Cavallo’s message. “No one should hide who he is. The ball doesn’t care about color, race, religion, gender or sexuality, “said Foster, an international with his country 29 times. Adelaide United’s teammates also publicly showed their support for the Australian player, including Spain’s Javi López, who played more than 250 games for Espanyol. “Congratulations on your courage and proud of you,” said the footballer.
Fashanu, a forgotten precedent
The first professional footballer to acknowledge his homosexuality was the British Justin Fashanu, in 1990, but he was never accepted in the stadiums and committed suicide in 1998. The closest case is that of fellow Australian Andy Brennan, who 2019 declared himself gay when he played in the Australian Second Division, although he had previously played in the highest category in the country for the Newcastle Jets. Thomas Hitzlsperger, a 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 retired in 2013. American Robbie Rogers, who went on to play for Leeds in the English Premier League, also revealed that he was gay after hanging up his boots that same year.
Tom Daley, an Olympic medalist who came out of the closet in 2013, took advantage of his gold in Tokyo on the synchronized ten-meter trampoline to send a message of support and pride to the LGTBI community: “I am very proud of to say that I am gay and an Olympic champion ”.
.
