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“You don't belong on this earth” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”

Since revealing his homosexuality in 2021, player the athlete has received daily death threats and hateful comments on social media.

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

Midfielder the sportsman 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 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 semi-professional team by advocating for LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - he has more than one million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and inclusion.

“Absolutely, we've got mountains to do,” the footballer says when questioned about ongoing issues with discrimination.

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

‘People want to harm me’

It took years for the athlete to work up the courage to say “I'm gay” before coming out on 27 October 2021.

“My only desire is play football and be treated equally,” he stated in an accompanying video.

The player was 21 and making a name for himself at his Australian club 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. “It felt like the right time in my life. I needed to move forward.”

His emotional coming out video, entitled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral on social media.

“My mobile phone exploded with messages of support. The response was incredible.”

Liverpool were among numerous famous teams around the world to show solidarity with Cavallo, with the coach at the time the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he did it because it sparks conversation.”

Spanish player the athlete also offered support, writing on social media that “soccer culture is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United released a comment backing their “remarkable” and “brave” player.

Others, however, were less welcoming.

Cavallo soon turned into a subject to anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.

During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were penalized five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from spectators aimed toward Cavallo during a match.

“The comments I encountered were hurtful and disparaging towards LGBTQ people,” he explains.

“I didn't react 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 remembers. “I remember thinking ‘this is real - individuals intend to hurt me’.

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

“My wish is that the next person who reveals their orientation while playing football at a professional standard doesn't have to experience the path I have endured.”

The player says the constant menacing messages and hostile communications have taken a toll on his psychological well-being.

“It's disappointing because I must justify why I deserve a place on the soccer pitch for being who I am,” he says.

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

“Many individuals see me as a cheerful, positive person. But there are days when I rely on my partner, his name, and he gets to see a lot that happens behind the scenes.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped inspire teenage attacking player Jake Daniels to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay active male professional footballer in spring 2022.

However, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the Premier League.

“It would move mountains,” says Cavallo on the effect a Premier League player revealing their orientation would have.

“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. There are a lot of scary things that would await this individual. In the world of football, identifying as LGBTQ is a very toxic place.”

Over two decades after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - took his own life in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “toxic masculinity” that still exists in professional soccer.

“Simply attend to a game and observe the unfriendly atmosphere 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 soccer for individuals like me and Jake.

“Progress has been limited (more players coming out) as frequently as desired.

“I can only keep pushing for what I think is right, and strive for taking out the harmful male norms in football changing rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

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

However, he is critical of soccer's global governing body, after Qatar, where same-sex relationships are illegal, staged the global tournament in 2022.

The 2034 tournament is scheduled in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is also illegal.

“Am I impressed that the World Cup is in nations that ban gay unions, where people like me will be put in prison for merely living on that land? 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 their true selves.

“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 won't cease advocating.

“Football has allowed me to start conversations in the changing room. It has allowed me to speak and educate people who want to learn more.

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

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