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“You shouldn't exist” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Stop breathing.”

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

“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” the player explains. “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.”

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

Recently he left Australia to sign with non-league Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of English football.

The 25-year-old balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by advocating for inclusion matters and leveraging his platform - he has more than one million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and inclusion.

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

“Rarely a week passes without hearing about an issue.”

‘People want to harm me’

Several years passed for the athlete to work up the courage to say “I am homosexual” before coming out on 27 October 2021.

“My only desire is play football and be treated equally,” he said in an related clip.

Cavallo was twenty-one and building his reputation at Adelaide United in the premier division when, backed by his colleagues, he announced his orientation publicly.

“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he says. “It felt like the right time in my life. I needed to move forward.”

His emotional coming out video, titled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral on digital platforms.

“My mobile phone exploded with encouraging words. The response was incredible.”

Liverpool were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for Cavallo, with the coach at the time the German manager saying: “I'm really thankful that he did it because it sparks conversation.”

Spanish player the athlete also expressed backing, writing on social media that “the world of football is lagging behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United released a comment backing their “remarkable” and “courageous” player.

Others, however, were less welcoming.

The footballer quickly became a target of homophobic abuse by rival supporters.

In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from fans directed at Cavallo during a match.

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

“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”

There was a frightening incident at a petrol station in Australia, where the athlete was assaulted by someone who recognised him from the coverage.

“It was terrifying,” he recalls. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is happening - individuals intend to hurt me’.

“Should this be tolerated? Absolutely not. But by coming out, these are the consequences.

“I hope that future individuals who reveals their orientation while competing in soccer at a high level doesn't have to experience the path I have endured.”

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

“It's disappointing because I must justify why I belong on the soccer pitch for being who I am,” he states.

“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.

“A lot of people see me as a smiling, positive person. But there are days when I lean on my fiance, his name, and he witnesses much of what occurs behind the scenes.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

The player's choice to disclose his orientation helped prompt 17-year-old Blackpool forward Jake Daniels to announce he was gay as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in May 2022.

However, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the top English division.

“It would move mountains,” says Cavallo on the impact a elite athlete coming out would make.

“But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would come this person's way. Within soccer culture, being an openly gay player is a highly hostile environment.”

Over two decades after a pioneering player - the UK's initial out soccer professional - died by suicide in 1998, Cavallo has discussed the “harmful male culture” that still exists in professional soccer.

“Simply attend to a match and observe the hostile environment and masculinity that the crowd brings,” he explains.

“Much remains to be done to make sure there is a safe space in soccer for individuals like me and his colleague.

“We haven't seen it (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as much as we would like.

“I can only keep pushing for principles I believe in, and work towards 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 enabled discussions within team environments about revealing one's orientation.

However, he is critical of Fifa, after the Middle Eastern nation, where same-sex relationships are illegal, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.

The 2034 tournament is scheduled in another Gulf state, where same-sex attraction is also illegal.

“Am I impressed that the global championship is in nations that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be imprisoned for just existing on that land? It's scary,” states the athlete.

“I receive communications [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for being who I am - is assistance possible?’.

“It's devastating that individuals are incarcerated for their true selves.

“There are countries that are significant soccer markets and they don't accept LGBTQ+ people. These places that often focus on me.”

Nevertheless, Cavallo says he won't cease advocating.

“Football has allowed me to start conversations in the locker room. It has allowed me to speak and inform individuals who seek understanding.

“Some will disapprove for your identity. But I've discovered support. I have found my community.

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