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

After announcing he was gay in 2021, player the athlete has faced constant 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 during matches, and then get put down because of who I am. It's appalling.”

Player the sportsman was at Adelaide United back in 2020 when he emerged as the sole publicly out top-flight male professional footballer in the world.

This summer he left Australia to sign with non-league Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in the sixth division, one level below of English football.

The 25-year-old balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by speaking up on inclusion matters and using his profile - he has more than one million followers on social media - to champion equality and inclusion.

“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” Cavallo says when asked if football still has a problem with homophobia.

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

‘People want to harm me’

It took years for the athlete to build up the bravery to say “I am homosexual” before coming out on October 27th, 2021.

“All I want to do is compete in soccer and receive fair treatment,” he stated in an accompanying video.

Cavallo was twenty-one and making a name for himself at Adelaide United in Australia's top flight when, backed by his colleagues, he publicly came out.

“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he says. “It felt like the right time in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”

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

“My mobile phone exploded with encouraging words. It was overwhelming.”

Liverpool were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for the player, with then manager Jurgen Klopp saying: “I'm really thankful that he took this step because it sparks conversation.”

Barcelona defender the athlete also expressed backing, writing on social media that “soccer culture is lagging behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United released a comment supporting their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.

Some people, however, were less welcoming.

Cavallo quickly became a target of homophobic abuse by opposition fans.

During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were penalized A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from spectators aimed toward the player during a match.

“The things I'd hear were painful and disparaging towards LGBTQ people,” he says.

“I didn't react because I knew that would only feed the haters.”

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

“That was a scary moment,” he recalls. “I remember thinking ‘this is happening - people want to harm me’.

“Should this be tolerated? Definitely not. But through my disclosure, these are the consequences.

“I hope that the next person who comes out while playing football at a professional standard won't face the journey I have endured.”

The player says the constant menacing messages and hostile communications have taken a toll on his mental health.

“It's disappointing because I must justify why I deserve a place on the soccer pitch for my identity,” he states.

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

“A lot of people see me as a smiling, positive person. But sometimes when I rely on my partner, his name, and he witnesses much of what occurs privately.”

‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’

The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped inspire 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 create massive change,” says Cavallo on the impact a elite athlete coming out would make.

“But I must be honest. 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 Justin Fashanu - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - died by suicide in 1998, the current athlete has spoken about the “toxic masculinity” that still exists in professional soccer.

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

“There is still a lot of work to make sure there is a safe space in football for individuals like me and his colleague.

“We haven't seen it (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as much as we would like.

“I can only keep pushing for principles I believe in, and strive for taking out the toxic masculinity in soccer locker rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘I'm here to create change’

The player says football has allowed him to have conversations within team environments about coming out.

Yet, he is disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, after the Middle Eastern nation, where homosexual partnerships are illegal, hosted the men's World Cup 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 criminalise same-sex marriages, where individuals like myself will be imprisoned for merely living on their territory? It's scary,” says the athlete.

“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 people are getting locked up for their true selves.

“Certain nations that are significant soccer markets and they don't accept the queer community. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”

Despite this, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.

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

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

“My mission is to create change. That's what I'm here for.”