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

Since revealing his homosexuality in 2021, player the athlete has faced constant threats and hateful comments on online platforms.

“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” Cavallo states. “Nobody should have to endure such words.

“I'm working to improve my skills and reach my full potential during matches, and then get put down due to my identity. It's disgusting.”

Player the sportsman was at Adelaide United four years ago when he became the only openly gay top-flight male professional footballer in the world.

Recently he departed from Australia to join non-league Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in the sixth division, the sixth tier of the English soccer system.

The 25-year-old combines playing for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by advocating for LGBTQ+ issues and using his profile - he has more than one million followers on social media - to promote fairness and acceptance.

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

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

‘Individuals wish to hurt me’

It took years for Cavallo to work up the courage to say “I'm gay” before revealing his sexuality on October 27th, 2021.

“All I want to do is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he stated 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 announced his orientation publicly.

“I didn't know what was ahead. I didn't know what to expect,” he says. “It felt like the right time in my life. I needed to move forward.”

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

“My mobile phone exploded with encouraging words. It was overwhelming.”

A prominent club were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to show solidarity with the player, with the coach at the time the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he did it because now we talk again.”

Spanish player the athlete also offered support, posting online that “soccer culture is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club released a comment supporting their “remarkable” and “brave” player.

Some people, however, were less welcoming.

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

During early 2022 a competing team 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 says.

“I didn't react because I knew that would only feed the haters.”

A scary event occurred at a petrol 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 happening - individuals intend to hurt me’.

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

“I hope that the next person who comes out while playing football at a high level won't face the journey I have endured.”

Cavallo says the constant menacing messages and abusive messages have affected his mental health.

“It's quite sad because I am having to explain why I belong on the football field for my identity,” he says.

“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.

“A lot of people see me as a cheerful, positive person. But sometimes when I rely on my partner, his name, and he gets to see much of what occurs privately.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

Cavallo's decision to disclose his orientation helped prompt 17-year-old Blackpool forward Jake Daniels to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay active male professional footballer in spring 2022.

However, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the Premier League.

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

“But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. Within soccer culture, identifying as LGBTQ is a highly hostile environment.”

Twenty-seven years after Justin Fashanu - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - died by suicide in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “toxic masculinity” that persists in professional soccer.

“You just need to go to a match and observe the hostile environment and male-dominated culture that the audience creates,” he says.

“There is still a lot of work to make sure there is a safe space in football for individuals like me and his colleague.

“Progress has been limited (more players coming out) as much as we would like.

“I can only keep pushing for principles I believe in, and work towards taking out the harmful male norms in football changing rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘I'm here to create change’

Cavallo says soccer has allowed him to have conversations inside dressing rooms about coming out.

However, he is disapproving toward Fifa, after the Middle Eastern nation, where same-sex relationships are against the law, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.

Future World Cup is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.

“Am I impressed that the World Cup is in countries that ban gay unions, where people like me will be imprisoned for merely living on their territory? It's frightening,” states Cavallo.

“I get messages [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for my identity - is assistance possible?’.

“It breaks my heart that individuals are incarcerated for being who they are.

“There are countries that are significant soccer markets and they don't accept the queer community. These places that tend to target me.”

Despite this, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.

“Soccer has allowed me to start conversations in the locker room. It lets me communicate and inform individuals who seek understanding.

“Some will disapprove for your identity. But I have found my family. I have found my community.

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