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

After announcing his homosexuality in 2021, player the athlete has faced constant threats and abusive messages on social media.

“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” Cavallo 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 because of who I am. It's appalling.”

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.

This summer he departed from Australia to sign with non-league Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in the sixth division, the sixth tier of English football.

The 25-year-old 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 social media - to champion equality and acceptance.

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

“Rarely a week passes without encountering problems.”

‘Individuals wish to hurt me’

Several years passed for the athlete to build up the bravery to say “I'm gay” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.

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

The player was 21 and building his reputation at his Australian club in Australia's top flight 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 wanted to take the next step.”

The heartfelt revelation clip, entitled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral on social media.

“My phone was flooded with encouraging words. It was overwhelming.”

Liverpool were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to express support for Cavallo, with the coach at the time the German manager saying: “I'm really thankful that he took this step 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 Adelaide United released a comment supporting their “remarkable” and “brave” player.

Others, however, were not so accepting.

The footballer soon turned into a target of anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.

During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from fans directed at the player during a match.

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

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

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 through my disclosure, this is what it brings.

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

Cavallo 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 belong on the football field for being who I am,” he says.

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

“Many individuals see me as a cheerful, optimistic person. But sometimes when I rely on my partner, Leighton, and he gets to see a lot that happens privately.”

‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’

The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped inspire 17-year-old Blackpool forward another athlete to announce he was gay as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in spring 2022.

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

“It would create massive change,” 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. In the world of football, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”

Over two decades 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 men's football.

“Simply attend to a match and see the hostile environment and male-dominated culture that the audience creates,” he says.

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

“We haven't seen it (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as frequently as desired.

“My role is to continue advocating for what I think is right, and strive for taking out the harmful male norms in football changing rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘I'm here to create change’

Cavallo says soccer has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about coming out.

However, he is critical of soccer's global governing body, after the Middle Eastern nation, where same-sex relationships 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 criminalise same-sex marriages, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for just existing on that land? It's frightening,” says Cavallo.

“I receive communications [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I face imprisonment for being who I am - can you help me?’.

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

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

Nevertheless, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.

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

“Some will disapprove for your identity. But I have found my family. I've connected with similar people.

“My purpose is to create change. That's what I'm here for.”