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“You shouldn't exist” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”

After announcing he was gay in 2021, player the athlete has received daily death threats and abusive messages on online platforms.

“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” the player states. “No-one wants to read things like that.

“I'm trying to get better as a player and reach my full potential during matches, and then get put down due to my identity. It's disgusting.”

Player Cavallo was at Adelaide United four years ago when he became the only openly gay elite soccer player in the world.

Recently he departed from Australia to join lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in the sixth division, one level below of the English soccer system.

The 25-year-old balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - he has more than one million followers on social media - to champion equality and acceptance.

“Definitely, there's enormous work ahead,” Cavallo says when asked if football still has a problem with homophobia.

“I don't go more than a week without encountering problems.”

‘Individuals wish to hurt me’

It took years for the athlete to work up the courage to say “I'm gay” before coming out on October 27th, 2021.

“My only desire is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he said in an accompanying video.

Cavallo was twenty-one and making a name for himself at Adelaide United in the premier division when, with the support of his team-mates, he publicly came out.

“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he recalls. “It felt like the right time in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”

The heartfelt revelation clip, entitled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral on digital platforms.

“My mobile phone exploded with messages of support. The response was incredible.”

A prominent club were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to show solidarity with the player, with then manager the German manager saying: “I'm really thankful that he did it because it sparks conversation.”

Spanish player the athlete also offered support, posting online that “the world of football is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United released a comment supporting their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.

Others, however, were less welcoming.

Cavallo quickly became a target of anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.

During early 2022 a competing team were penalized A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from fans aimed toward Cavallo during a game.

“The things I'd hear were hurtful and derogatory towards LGBTQ people,” he explains.

“I remained calm because I knew that would only feed the haters.”

There was a frightening incident at a gas station in Australia, where Cavallo was assaulted by someone who recognised him from the media attention.

“That was a scary moment,” he recalls. “I remember thinking ‘this is real - people want to harm me’.

“Should this be tolerated? Definitely not. But by coming out, this is what it brings.

“I hope that future individuals who reveals their orientation while playing football at a high level won't face the path I have endured.”

Cavallo says the constant menacing messages and hostile communications have affected his psychological well-being.

“It's quite sad because I must justify why I belong on the soccer pitch for my identity,” he says.

“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.

“A lot of people see me as a cheerful, optimistic person. But sometimes when I lean on my fiance, his name, and he gets to see much of what occurs behind the scenes.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

Cavallo's decision to reveal his sexuality helped prompt teenage attacking player Jake Daniels to come out as the UK's only openly gay playing soccer professional in spring 2022.

Nevertheless, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the top English division.

“It would move mountains,” comments Cavallo on the effect a Premier League player coming out would have.

“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. Within soccer culture, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”

Twenty-seven years after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - took his own life in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “harmful male culture” that still exists in men's football.

“You just need to go to a match and observe the unfriendly atmosphere and male-dominated culture that the audience creates,” he explains.

“There is still a lot of work to make sure there is a secure environment in soccer for individuals like me and his colleague.

“Progress has been limited (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as frequently as desired.

“I can only keep pushing for principles I believe in, and strive for taking out the toxic masculinity in football changing rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘I'm here to create change’

The player says football has allowed him to have conversations inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.

Yet, he is critical of soccer's global governing body, after Qatar, where homosexual partnerships are against the law, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.

Future World Cup will be held in another Gulf state, where same-sex attraction is similarly prohibited.

“Do I approve that the World Cup is in nations that ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be imprisoned for just existing on their territory? It's scary,” states Cavallo.

“I receive communications [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I face imprisonment for my identity - is assistance possible?’.

“It breaks my heart that people are getting locked up for being who they are.

“Certain nations that are significant soccer markets and they reject LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”

Nevertheless, the footballer says he won't cease advocating.

“Football has enabled dialogue in the changing room. It lets me communicate and educate people who seek understanding.

“Some will disapprove for who you are. But I've discovered support. I've connected with similar people.

“My purpose is to drive progress. That's what I'm here for.”