Adelaide United midfielder Josh Cavallo expressed that proposing to his partner at Coopers Stadium felt like the perfect moment to share their special bond on the pitch.
When the Australian came out in 2021, he became the only openly gay male professional footballer in the top-flight league.
The 24-year-old expressed gratitude to the A-League club for their support following his engagement to Leighton Morrell, stating that Adelaide had offered him “a safe space in football.”
Cavallo shared images of the proposal on social media, capturing the memorable event at the stadium where he has been playing since 2021.
He wrote: “Thank you Adelaide United for helping set up this surprise.
“Your endless support has meant so much to me. You have provided a safe space in football, one that I never in my dreams thought could ever be possible, and encouraged me to live every day of my life authentically.
“It felt right to share this special moment on the pitch, where it all started.”
In October 2021, Cavallo shared a video on social media where he bravely announced that he is gay, expressing that he was “ready to discuss a personal aspect of my life that I finally feel comfortable talking about.”
His announcement served as an inspiration for Blackpool player Jake Daniels to come out in 2022, becoming the UK’s sole openly gay active male professional footballer.
In February 2023, Czech Republic midfielder Jakub Jankto also came out. The 28-year-old, who plays for Serie A club Cagliari in Italy, followed suit in sharing his truth.
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