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

Since revealing his homosexuality in 2021, footballer the athlete has faced constant threats and abusive messages on online platforms.

“When I first saw these messages, I was devastated,” the player states. “Nobody should have to endure such words.

“I'm working to improve my skills and be the best I can be on the pitch, and then face criticism due to my identity. It's disgusting.”

Midfielder Cavallo was playing for Adelaide United back in 2020 when he emerged as the sole publicly out elite soccer player in the world.

This summer he departed from Australia to sign with lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of English football.

This young athlete balances his sports career for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by speaking up on inclusion matters and using his profile - he has more than one million followers on Instagram - to champion equality and acceptance.

“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” Cavallo says when questioned about ongoing issues with homophobia.

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

‘People want to harm me’

It took years for the athlete to build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” before revealing his sexuality on October 27th, 2021.

“All I want to do is compete in soccer and receive fair treatment,” he stated 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.

“I didn't know what was ahead. I didn't know what to expect,” he recalls. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”

The heartfelt revelation clip, entitled ‘His Personal Story’, gained massive attention on social media.

“My mobile phone exploded with messages of support. It was overwhelming.”

Liverpool were among numerous famous teams around the world to show solidarity with the player, with the coach at the time Jurgen Klopp saying: “I appreciate that he took this step because now we talk again.”

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also expressed backing, writing on social media that “soccer culture is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United released a comment backing their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.

Others, however, were less welcoming.

Cavallo soon turned into a subject to homophobic abuse by rival supporters.

During early 2022 a competing team were fined five thousand dollars over discriminatory chants from spectators directed at Cavallo during a game.

“The comments I encountered were painful and derogatory towards my community,” he explains.

“I didn't react because responding would encourage detractors.”

A scary event occurred at a petrol station in Australia, where the athlete was assaulted by an individual who identified him from the media attention.

“It was terrifying,” he recalls. “I remember thinking ‘this is happening - individuals intend to hurt me’.

“Is it acceptable? Absolutely not. But by coming out, this is what it brings.

“My wish is that future individuals who reveals their orientation while playing football at a professional standard won't face the journey I have experienced.”

The player says the daily death threats and abusive messages have affected his psychological well-being.

“It's quite sad because I am having to explain why I deserve a place on the soccer pitch for my identity,” he says.

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

“Many individuals see me as a smiling, optimistic person. But sometimes when I rely on my partner, his name, and he witnesses a lot that happens privately.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

Cavallo's decision to reveal his sexuality helped prompt 17-year-old Blackpool forward another athlete to announce he was gay as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in May 2022.

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

“It would move mountains,” says the footballer on the impact a Premier League player revealing their orientation would make.

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

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

“Simply attend to a match and see the unfriendly atmosphere and male-dominated culture that the audience creates,” he explains.

“Much remains to be done to make sure there is a secure environment in soccer for people like myself and his colleague.

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

“My role is to continue advocating for principles I believe in, and strive for eliminating the harmful male norms in soccer locker rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

Cavallo says soccer has allowed him to have conversations inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.

Yet, he is disapproving toward Fifa, after the Middle Eastern nation, where homosexual partnerships are against the law, staged the global tournament in 2022.

Future World Cup is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where same-sex attraction is similarly prohibited.

“Do I approve that the global championship is in nations that ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be imprisoned for merely living on their territory? It's frightening,” says Cavallo.

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

“It's devastating that people are getting locked up for being who they are.

“There are countries that are huge in terms of football and they reject the queer community. Those are the countries that often focus on me.”

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

“Football has allowed me to start conversations in the changing room. It lets me communicate and educate people who seek understanding.

“Not everyone is going to like you for your identity. But I have found my family. I have found my community.

“My mission is to create change. That's my objective.”