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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 received daily death threats and abusive messages on online platforms.

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

“I'm working to improve my skills and be the best I can be on the pitch, and then get put down because of who I am. It's disgusting.”

Player Cavallo was at Adelaide United four years ago when he emerged as the sole publicly out top-flight male professional footballer in the world.

Recently he departed from Australia to join lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in National League North, one level below of English football.

This young athlete combines playing for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues and using his profile - he has more than one million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and inclusion.

“Definitely, there's enormous work ahead,” the footballer comments when questioned about ongoing issues with discrimination.

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

‘People want to harm me’

Several years passed for Cavallo to build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.

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

Cavallo was twenty-one and building his reputation at Adelaide United in Australia's top flight when, backed by his colleagues, he announced his orientation publicly.

“I didn't know what was ahead. I had no expectations,” he says. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”

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

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

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

Spanish player Gerard Pique also expressed backing, posting online that “soccer culture is lagging behind and you are helping us move forward”, 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 anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.

In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were penalized five thousand dollars over discriminatory chants from spectators aimed toward Cavallo during a match.

“The comments I encountered were painful and derogatory towards LGBTQ people,” he explains.

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

A scary event occurred at a petrol station in Australia, where the athlete was physically attacked by someone who recognised him from the media attention.

“That was a scary moment,” he remembers. “I remember thinking ‘this is real - individuals intend to hurt me’.

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

“I hope that the next person who comes out while competing in soccer at a professional standard doesn't have to experience the path I have experienced.”

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

“It's quite sad because I am having to explain why I belong on the soccer pitch for being who I am,” he states.

“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.

“Many individuals see me as a cheerful, optimistic person. But there are days 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 attacking player another athlete to announce he was gay as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in May 2022.

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

“It would create massive change,” comments Cavallo on the effect a elite athlete revealing their orientation would make.

“But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. Within soccer culture, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”

Over two decades after a pioneering player - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - died by suicide in 1998, Cavallo has discussed the “harmful male culture” that persists in men's football.

“Simply attend to a game and observe the hostile environment and masculinity that the audience creates,” he explains.

“Much remains to be done to make sure there is a secure environment in football for individuals like me and his colleague.

“We haven't seen it (more players coming out) as much as we would like.

“My role is to continue advocating for what I think is right, and work towards taking out the toxic masculinity in football changing rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

The player says football has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about coming out.

However, 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 Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.

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

“I receive communications [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for my identity - can you help me?’.

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

“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 enabled dialogue in the locker room. It lets me communicate and inform individuals who seek understanding.

“Some will disapprove for who you are. But I have found my family. I've connected with similar people.

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