Emotional thanks to his club
Gay professional football player proposes marriage in the stadium
March 14, 2024, 11:43 a.m
Two and a half years ago, Josh Cavallo publicly acknowledged his homosexuality – becoming the first player in the Australian A-League. Now he’s getting engaged in his club’s stadium. The 24-year-old then thanked his club with emotional words.
Australian footballer Josh Cavallo from Adelaide United FC symbolically got engaged to his partner at his club’s stadium. “It felt right to share this special moment on the pitch where it all began,” the 24-year-old wrote on Instagram and posted a photo of himself getting on his knees on the pitch in front of his partner Leighton Morrell and a Holding ring in hand.
The empty stands can be seen in the background. “Mr & Mr Coming soon,” he wrote in the post – and quickly received tens of thousands of likes and numerous comments.
At the same time, Cavallo thanked his club. “Your endless support has meant so much to me,” the footballer wrote. “You have created a safe space in football that I never dreamed possible and you have encouraged me to live authentically every day of my life.” The post has already been liked more than 190,000 times. In addition to many positive comments and congratulations, there were also insults.
Cavallo came out as gay in 2021 – the first player in the A-League, the highest division in Australian football. “I am proud to publicly announce that I am gay,” he said in a video released by the club at the time. It has been a long road to this point in his life, but he is very happy with the decision to come out. “Adelaide United made me realize that football is more than just a game – it’s a family.” He received a lot of recognition for his move. Cavallo is now considered a prominent advocate for LGBTQI+ rights.