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

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

“Upon reading those comments, it broke my heart,” Cavallo explains. “Nobody should have to endure such words.

“I'm working to improve my skills and be the best I can be during matches, and then get put down because of who I am. It's appalling.”

Midfielder Cavallo was at Adelaide United four years ago when he emerged as the sole publicly out top-flight male professional footballer in the world.

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

The 25-year-old balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on social media - to promote fairness and acceptance.

“Absolutely, we've got mountains to do,” the footballer comments when questioned about ongoing issues 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 compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he stated in an related clip.

The player was 21 and making a name for himself at Adelaide United in the premier division when, with the support of his team-mates, 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’, gained massive attention on digital platforms.

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

Liverpool were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for the player, with then manager the German manager saying: “I'm really thankful that he took this step because now we talk again.”

Spanish player Gerard Pique also offered support, writing on social media that “the world of football is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United released a comment backing their “remarkable” and “courageous” player.

Others, however, were less welcoming.

The footballer soon turned into a subject to homophobic abuse by rival supporters.

In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were penalized A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from fans directed at Cavallo during a game.

“The things I'd hear were hurtful and derogatory towards my community,” he explains.

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

A scary event occurred at a gas station in Australia, where the athlete was assaulted by an individual who identified him from the media attention.

“That was a scary moment,” he recalls. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is real - people want to harm me’.

“Is it acceptable? Definitely not. But through my disclosure, these are the consequences.

“I hope that the next person who comes out while competing in soccer at a high level won't face the path I have endured.”

The player says the daily death threats and abusive messages have taken a toll on his mental health.

“It's disappointing 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 ‘why should you exist in football?’.

“Many individuals see me as a cheerful, optimistic person. But sometimes when I lean on my fiance, Leighton, and he witnesses a lot that happens behind the scenes.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

The player's choice to disclose his orientation helped inspire teenage attacking player Jake Daniels to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay playing soccer professional in spring 2022.

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

“It would create massive change,” says the footballer on the impact a Premier League player coming out would have.

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

Twenty-seven years after a pioneering player - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - took his own life 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 masculinity that the audience creates,” he explains.

“There is still a lot of work to make sure there is a safe space in soccer for people like myself and Jake.

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

“I can only keep pushing for principles I believe in, and strive for eliminating the harmful male norms in soccer locker rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘I'm here to create change’

Cavallo says football has enabled discussions within team environments about coming out.

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

Future World Cup will be held in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.

“Am I impressed that the global championship is in nations that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be put in prison for merely living on their territory? It's scary,” states Cavallo.

“I get messages [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I face imprisonment for my identity - can you help me?’.

“It breaks my heart that individuals are incarcerated 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.”

Nevertheless, the footballer says he won't cease advocating.

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

“Not everyone is going to like you for your identity. But I've discovered support. I've connected with similar people.

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