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

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

“When I first saw these messages, 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 due to my identity. It's disgusting.”

Player Cavallo was at Adelaide United four years ago when he emerged as the sole publicly out elite soccer player in the world.

Recently he left Australia to sign with non-league Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of English football.

This young athlete balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by advocating for inclusion matters and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and inclusion.

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

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

‘Individuals wish to hurt 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 receive fair treatment,” he stated in an accompanying video.

Cavallo was twenty-one and making a name for himself at his Australian club in the premier division when, backed by his colleagues, he publicly came out.

“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 digital platforms.

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

Liverpool were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for 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 expressed backing, posting online that “soccer culture is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United released a comment supporting their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.

Others, however, were not so accepting.

Cavallo soon turned into a subject to anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.

During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from spectators directed at Cavallo during a match.

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

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

There was a frightening incident at a gas station in Australia, where Cavallo 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’.

“Is it acceptable? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, this is what it brings.

“My wish is that the next person who reveals their orientation while competing in soccer at a high level doesn't have to experience the journey I have experienced.”

Cavallo says the constant menacing messages and abusive messages have taken a toll on his mental health.

“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 ‘what gives you the right in football?’.

“A lot of people see me as a cheerful, optimistic person. But sometimes when I lean on my fiance, Leighton, and he gets to see a lot that happens privately.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

Cavallo's decision to reveal his sexuality helped prompt teenage Blackpool forward Jake Daniels to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay active male professional footballer in May 2022.

Nevertheless, 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 coming out would make.

“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. There are a lot of scary things that would come this person's way. Within soccer culture, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”

Twenty-seven years after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - died by suicide in 1998, the current athlete has spoken about the “harmful male culture” that still exists in men's football.

“You just need to go to a match and see the unfriendly atmosphere and male-dominated culture that the crowd brings,” he explains.

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

“We haven't seen it (more players coming out) as frequently as desired.

“My role is to continue advocating for principles I believe in, and strive for eliminating the toxic masculinity in soccer locker rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

Cavallo says football has enabled discussions within team environments about revealing one's orientation.

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

The 2034 tournament is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where same-sex attraction is similarly prohibited.

“Am I impressed that the global championship is in nations that ban gay unions, where people like me will be imprisoned for just existing on their territory? It's frightening,” states Cavallo.

“I receive communications [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I face imprisonment for being who I am - is assistance possible?’.

“It's devastating that individuals are incarcerated for being who they are.

“Certain nations that are huge in terms of football and they don't accept the queer community. These places that often focus on me.”

Despite this, the footballer says he will not stop speaking up.

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

“Some will disapprove for your identity. But I've discovered support. I have found my community.

“My mission is to drive progress. That's my objective.”