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

After announcing his homosexuality in 2021, player the athlete has faced constant threats and hateful comments on online platforms.

“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” Cavallo explains. “Nobody should have to endure such words.

“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 Cavallo was at Adelaide United back in 2020 when he became the only openly gay top-flight male professional footballer in the world.

Recently he left Australia to join lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of the English soccer system.

This young athlete combines playing for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by speaking up on inclusion matters and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on Instagram - to champion equality and acceptance.

“Definitely, we've got mountains to do,” the footballer comments when questioned about ongoing issues with homophobia.

“Rarely a week passes without hearing about an issue.”

‘Individuals wish to hurt me’

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

“All I want to do is play football and receive fair treatment,” he said in an related clip.

The player was 21 and making a name for himself at Adelaide United in the premier division when, backed by his colleagues, he publicly came out.

“I didn't know what was ahead. I had no expectations,” he says. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”

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

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

Liverpool were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to show solidarity with Cavallo, with then manager the German manager saying: “I'm really thankful that he took this step because now we talk again.”

Barcelona defender the athlete also offered support, posting online that “soccer culture is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club issued a statement supporting their “remarkable” and “brave” player.

Some people, however, were less welcoming.

The footballer soon turned into a target of homophobic abuse by rival supporters.

During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined five thousand dollars over discriminatory chants from fans directed at Cavallo during a match.

“The things I'd hear were painful and disparaging 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 physically attacked by an individual who identified him from the media attention.

“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 by coming out, these are the consequences.

“I hope that the next person who reveals their orientation while playing football at a high level doesn't have to experience the path I have endured.”

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

“It's disappointing because I am having to explain why I belong on the football field for being who I am,” he states.

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

“Many individuals see me as a smiling, optimistic person. But there are days when I lean on my fiance, his name, and he gets to see 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 17-year-old Blackpool forward another athlete to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay active male professional footballer in May 2022.

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

“It would move mountains,” comments the footballer on the impact a elite athlete coming out would make.

“But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would come this person's way. In the world of football, identifying as LGBTQ is a very toxic place.”

Twenty-seven years after Justin Fashanu - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - took his own life in 1998, the current athlete has spoken about the “harmful male culture” that persists in professional soccer.

“You just need to go to a game and observe 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 football for individuals like me and Jake.

“Progress has been limited (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as frequently as desired.

“My role is to continue advocating for what I think is right, and work towards eliminating the toxic masculinity in soccer locker rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

The player says soccer has enabled discussions within team environments about revealing one's orientation.

However, he is disapproving toward Fifa, after Qatar, where same-sex relationships are against the law, staged the global tournament in 2022.

The 2034 tournament is scheduled in another Gulf state, 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 just existing on their territory? It's frightening,” says Cavallo.

“I receive communications [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for being who I am - can you help me?’.

“It's devastating that individuals are incarcerated for their true selves.

“There are countries that are huge in terms of football and they reject the queer community. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”

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

“Football has enabled dialogue in the locker room. It has allowed me to speak and inform individuals who want to learn more.

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

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