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“You don't belong on this earth” ... “Why are you here?” ... “Stop breathing.”

Since revealing his homosexuality in 2021, player the athlete has faced constant threats and abusive messages on online platforms.

“Upon reading those comments, it broke my heart,” the player states. “No-one wants to read things like that.

“I'm trying to get better as a player and reach my full potential during matches, and then get put down due to my identity. It's disgusting.”

Player 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 non-league Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of the English soccer system.

This young athlete combines playing for the semi-professional team by speaking up on inclusion matters and leveraging his platform - he has more than one million followers on Instagram - to champion equality and acceptance.

“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” Cavallo comments when questioned about ongoing issues with homophobia.

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

‘People want to harm me’

Several years passed for the athlete to work up the courage to say “I am homosexual” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.

“All I want to do 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 his Australian club 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 recalls. “It felt like the right time in my life. I needed to move forward.”

The heartfelt revelation clip, entitled ‘His Personal Story’, gained massive attention on digital platforms.

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

A prominent club were among numerous famous teams around the world to show solidarity with Cavallo, with the coach at the time Jurgen Klopp saying: “I appreciate that he did it because it sparks conversation.”

Spanish player the athlete also expressed backing, writing on social media that “soccer culture is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United issued a statement supporting their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.

Others, however, were not so accepting.

Cavallo soon turned into a subject to homophobic abuse by opposition fans.

During early 2022 a competing team were fined A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from spectators directed at the player during a match.

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

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

There was a frightening incident 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 happening - people want to harm me’.

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

“I hope that future individuals who reveals their orientation while competing in soccer at a professional standard doesn't have to experience 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 football field for my identity,” he says.

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

“A lot of people see me as a cheerful, positive person. But there are days when I lean on my fiance, Leighton, and he gets to see much of what occurs privately.”

‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’

Cavallo's decision to disclose his orientation helped inspire teenage Blackpool forward another athlete to announce he was gay as the Britain's sole publicly out playing soccer professional in May 2022.

However, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the top English division.

“It would create massive change,” comments Cavallo 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 come this person's way. In the world of football, identifying as LGBTQ is a very toxic place.”

Twenty-seven years after a pioneering player - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - died by suicide in 1998, the current athlete has discussed the “harmful male culture” that persists in professional soccer.

“You just need to go to a game and observe the hostile environment and masculinity that the crowd brings,” he explains.

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

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

“I can only keep pushing for principles I believe in, and work towards taking out the toxic masculinity in football changing rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

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

However, he is critical of Fifa, after the Middle Eastern nation, where homosexual partnerships are illegal, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.

Future World Cup will be held in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is also illegal.

“Am I impressed that the global championship is in countries that criminalise same-sex marriages, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for just existing on that land? It's frightening,” says Cavallo.

“I receive communications [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I face imprisonment for my identity - can you help me?’.

“It breaks my heart that people are getting locked up for being who they are.

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

Despite this, Cavallo says he won't cease advocating.

“Soccer has allowed me to start conversations in the locker room. It lets me communicate 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 drive progress. That's what I'm here for.”