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

Since revealing he was gay in 2021, player the athlete has received daily death threats and hateful comments on online platforms.

“Upon reading those comments, I was devastated,” the player states. “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 due to my identity. It's disgusting.”

Midfielder Cavallo was playing for Adelaide United back in 2020 when he became the only openly gay elite soccer player in the world.

This summer he left Australia to join non-league Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in National League North, one level below of the English soccer system.

This young athlete balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by speaking up on inclusion matters and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on social media - to promote fairness and inclusion.

“Definitely, there's enormous work ahead,” the footballer comments when questioned about ongoing issues with discrimination.

“Rarely a week passes without encountering problems.”

‘Individuals wish to hurt me’

Several years passed for the athlete to work up the courage to say “I'm gay” before coming out on October 27th, 2021.

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

Cavallo was 21 and building his reputation at his Australian club in the premier division when, backed by his colleagues, he publicly came out.

“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he says. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”

His emotional coming out video, titled ‘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 show solidarity with the player, with then manager Jurgen Klopp saying: “I'm really thankful that he took this step because now we talk again.”

Spanish player the athlete also offered support, posting online that “the world of football is lagging behind and you are helping us move forward”, while his former club released a comment backing their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.

Some people, however, were not so accepting.

The footballer soon turned into a target of anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.

During early 2022 a competing team were penalized five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from fans aimed toward Cavallo during a match.

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

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

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

“That was a scary moment,” he remembers. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is real - individuals intend to hurt me’.

“Is it acceptable? 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 won't face the journey I have endured.”

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

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

“We don't sit straight people down and ask ‘why should you exist in football?’.

“A lot of people see me as a cheerful, optimistic person. But there are days when I rely on my partner, his name, and he gets to see much of what occurs behind the scenes.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

The player's choice to disclose his orientation helped prompt teenage attacking player Jake Daniels to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in May 2022.

Nevertheless, there are zero publicly LGBTQ athletes in the Premier League.

“It would create massive change,” comments Cavallo on the impact a Premier League player revealing their orientation would have.

“But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would come this person's way. Within soccer culture, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”

Twenty-seven years after Justin Fashanu - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - died by suicide in 1998, Cavallo has discussed the “harmful male culture” that still exists in professional soccer.

“Simply attend to a game and observe the unfriendly atmosphere and male-dominated culture that the audience creates,” he explains.

“There is still a lot of work to ensure 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 strive for taking out the harmful male norms in football changing rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘I'm here to create change’

Cavallo says soccer has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.

Yet, he is disapproving toward Fifa, after Qatar, where same-sex relationships are illegal, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.

The 2034 tournament is scheduled in another Gulf state, where same-sex attraction is also illegal.

“Do I approve that the global championship is in countries that ban gay unions, where individuals like myself will be put in prison for just existing on their territory? It's frightening,” says Cavallo.

“I get messages [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for being who I am - is assistance possible?’.

“It breaks my heart that people are getting locked up for their true selves.

“There are countries that are significant soccer markets and they don't accept LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”

Nevertheless, Cavallo says he won't cease advocating.

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

“Some will disapprove for your identity. But I've discovered support. I've connected with similar people.

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