New footage has emerged of the emotional moment that Adelaide United star Josh Cavallo came out as gay to his team-mates in their dressing room.
Cavallo became the world's only openly gay active top-flight player last October when he posted a video and statement on social media. Earlier that day, he had told his team-mates at Adelaide that he was ready to be his true self.
The heart-warming moment he did so and the reaction of his team-mates to his news was captured on camera for an upcoming documentary. A trailer for the documentary, made by the Australian A-League, has been released ahead of it airing.
It will follow Adelaide United across last season, with one of the moments featured being Cavallo's coming-out. The cameras were allowed in the dressing room for the moment Cavallo came out, with the Australian star delivering a heart-wrenching speech.
"For all my life growing up, I've learned to live a life of lies, you know. For the last six years, I've been struggling with my sexuality. So today, I'll be coming out to the public that I'm gay, I'm a gay footballer," he says.
His team-mates had been gathered around ahead of a training session, with manager Carl Veart standing next to Cavallo. As the players then get changed, they are filmed lining up to give the full-back hugs and messages of support.
Later that season, Cavallo would feature against the Central Coast Mariners in a game that was officially designated a Pride Game, the first in the A-League's history. Ahead of that fixture, the 22-year-old revealed how his team-mates' reactions to his coming-out were better than he could have hoped for.
"20 minutes before I pressed the post button, I was in the changing room with all my team-mates and coaches. I was very nervous, my heart was beating so quickly when I announced it," he told GOAL.
"It was so emotional, something I'll remember for the rest of my life. Everyone gave me a big hug and said, 'We're so proud you can tell us who you really are.' What amazed me the most was that, 30 seconds after I made that announcement, me and the boys went straight back to talking about football and everything was normal again.
"That was exactly what I wanted, just to be accepted for who I was and not be treated any differently. It has been phenomenal, it honestly feels like a dream come true. From that time I clicked the post button on October 27, I can't explain to you how happy it has made me.
"The support I have got from my family, my team-mates, my peers, my friends, and worldwide was just phenomenal, and made me wonder why I had been hiding this for so long. It was a big relief, it had been a long time coming and I couldn't be prouder. To this day, I have no regrets about posting it, and announcing who I am to the world."
Cavallo will hope to feature on Sunday when Adelaide United kick off their 2022/2023 campaign with a trip to Wellington Phoenix. The Reds look well placed to challenge for the A-League title.
