Josh Cavallo and Leighton Morrell.Photo:Joshua Cavallo/Instagram
Joshua Cavallo/Instagram
First openly gay professional men’s soccer player, Josh Cavallo, announced his engagement to boyfriend Leighton MorrellCavallo thanked his team, Adelaide United, for helping “set up” the romantic proposal on the fieldThe Australian soccer star said “it felt right to share this special moment on the pitch"Congratulations are in order for Australian soccer starJosh Cavalloand his fiancé, Leighton Morrell!On Wednesday, Cavallo, 24, announced that he’d popped the question to his partner in a post on social media captioned, “Starting this year with my fiancé.“The post shows Cavallo, who became the first openly gay professional men’s soccer player when he came out in 2021, kneeling down on one knee as he proposes to Morrell on the field at Coopers Stadium, where his soccer team Adelaide United plays.The photos in his announcement post include a second shot of Morrell looking surprised and excited when Cavallo proposed, and a black-and-white, close-up image of the fiancés holding hands with the engagement ring on Morrell’s finger.“Mr. & Mr. Coming soon 🤍,” Cavallo wrote in the post’s caption.Cavallo thanked Adelaide United for “helping set up this surprise” for Morrell, an electrician, according to his Instagram bio.Cavallo expanded on his gratitude for Adelaide, adding that the club’s “endless support has meant so much” to him. “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 everyday of my life authentically.““It felt right to share this special moment on the pitch, where it all started,” Cavallo wrote.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.In Nov. 2021, Cavallocame out as gay in a powerful videomessage on Instagram.“I’m a footballer and I’m gay,” Cavallo began in the video. “Growing up I always felt the need to hide myself, you know, because I was ashamed. Ashamed I would never be able to do what I love and be gay. Hiding who I truly am to pursue a dream I always wished for as a kid.“He continued, “All I want to do is play football and be treated equally. I’m tired of trying to perform at the best of [my] ability and to live this double life. It’s exhausting, it’s something that I don’t want anyone to experience.“Josh Cavallo.Cameron Spencer/Getty ImagesCavallo said he previously hadn’t revealed his sexuality because he was worried people would “start treating me differently.” Fortunately, he said, that’s “not the case,” and if anything he’s “earned more respect” since the announcement.“The response and support I have received have been immense” and have made him wonder “Why have I been hiding this burden for so long?“He said he hopes that his followers understand that “It’s okay to be gay and to play football.”
Congratulations are in order for Australian soccer starJosh Cavalloand his fiancé, Leighton Morrell!
On Wednesday, Cavallo, 24, announced that he’d popped the question to his partner in a post on social media captioned, “Starting this year with my fiancé.”
The post shows Cavallo, who became the first openly gay professional men’s soccer player when he came out in 2021, kneeling down on one knee as he proposes to Morrell on the field at Coopers Stadium, where his soccer team Adelaide United plays.
The photos in his announcement post include a second shot of Morrell looking surprised and excited when Cavallo proposed, and a black-and-white, close-up image of the fiancés holding hands with the engagement ring on Morrell’s finger.
“Mr. & Mr. Coming soon 🤍,” Cavallo wrote in the post’s caption.
Cavallo thanked Adelaide United for “helping set up this surprise” for Morrell, an electrician, according to his Instagram bio.
Cavallo expanded on his gratitude for Adelaide, adding that the club’s “endless support has meant so much” to him. “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 everyday of my life authentically.”
“It felt right to share this special moment on the pitch, where it all started,” Cavallo wrote.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
In Nov. 2021, Cavallocame out as gay in a powerful videomessage on Instagram.
“I’m a footballer and I’m gay,” Cavallo began in the video. “Growing up I always felt the need to hide myself, you know, because I was ashamed. Ashamed I would never be able to do what I love and be gay. Hiding who I truly am to pursue a dream I always wished for as a kid.”
He continued, “All I want to do is play football and be treated equally. I’m tired of trying to perform at the best of [my] ability and to live this double life. It’s exhausting, it’s something that I don’t want anyone to experience.”
Josh Cavallo.Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Cavallo said he previously hadn’t revealed his sexuality because he was worried people would “start treating me differently.” Fortunately, he said, that’s “not the case,” and if anything he’s “earned more respect” since the announcement.
“The response and support I have received have been immense” and have made him wonder “Why have I been hiding this burden for so long?”
He said he hopes that his followers understand that “It’s okay to be gay and to play football.”
source: people.com
