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

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

“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” Cavallo 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.”

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

This summer he left Australia to join lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in the sixth division, the sixth tier of the English soccer system.

This young athlete balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on Instagram - to champion equality and inclusion.

“Definitely, we've got mountains to do,” the footballer comments when asked if football still has a problem with discrimination.

“Rarely a week passes without encountering problems.”

‘Individuals wish to hurt me’

It took years for the athlete to work up the courage to say “I am homosexual” 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 recalls. “It felt like the right time in my life. I needed to move forward.”

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

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

A prominent club were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to show solidarity with the player, with the coach at the time Jurgen Klopp saying: “I appreciate that he did it because now we talk again.”

Spanish player the athlete also offered support, writing on social media that “the world of football is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United released a comment supporting their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.

Others, however, were not so accepting.

The footballer quickly became a target of homophobic abuse by opposition fans.

During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were penalized A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from spectators aimed toward the player during a game.

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

“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”

A scary event occurred at a petrol station in Australia, where Cavallo was assaulted by someone who recognised him from the coverage.

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

“Should this be tolerated? Definitely not. But through my disclosure, this is what it brings.

“I hope that future individuals who comes out while competing in soccer at a high level doesn't have to experience the journey I have endured.”

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

“It's disappointing because I am having to explain why I belong on the soccer pitch for my identity,” he states.

“We don't sit straight people down 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, his name, and he witnesses much of what occurs behind the scenes.”

‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’

The player's choice to disclose his orientation helped inspire teenage attacking player Jake Daniels to come out as the UK's only openly gay active male professional footballer in spring 2022.

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

“It would create massive change,” says the footballer on the effect a elite athlete coming out would have.

“But I must be honest. There are a lot of scary things that would await this individual. In the world of football, identifying as LGBTQ is a highly hostile environment.”

Twenty-seven years after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - took his own life in 1998, the current athlete has spoken about the “harmful male culture” that persists in men's football.

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

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

“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 creating a safe space.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

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

Yet, he is disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, after Qatar, where homosexual partnerships are illegal, staged the global tournament in 2022.

Future World Cup will be held in another Gulf state, where same-sex attraction is also illegal.

“Do I approve that the World Cup is in countries that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be imprisoned for merely living on their territory? It's frightening,” states the athlete.

“I receive communications [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for my identity - is assistance possible?’.

“It's devastating that people are getting locked up for their true selves.

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

Despite this, the footballer says he won't cease advocating.

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

“Not everyone is going to like you for your identity. But I've discovered support. I have found my community.

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