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

Since revealing he was gay in 2021, player the athlete has faced constant threats and abusive messages on online platforms.

“When I first saw these messages, I was devastated,” Cavallo explains. “Nobody should have to endure such words.

“I'm working to improve my skills and reach my full potential during matches, and then get put down due to my identity. It's disgusting.”

Midfielder the sportsman was playing for Adelaide United four years ago when he emerged as the sole publicly out elite soccer player in the world.

This summer he departed from Australia to join non-league Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in the sixth division, the sixth tier of the English soccer system.

The 25-year-old combines playing 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 promote fairness and acceptance.

“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” the footballer comments when asked if football still has a problem 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 coming out on October 27th, 2021.

“My only desire is play football and be treated equally,” 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 announced his orientation publicly.

“I didn't know what was ahead. I had no expectations,” he says. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I needed to move forward.”

His emotional coming out video, titled ‘His Personal Story’, gained massive attention on social media.

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

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

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique also offered support, writing on social media that “soccer culture is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while Adelaide United issued a statement supporting their “remarkable” and “brave” player.

Others, however, were less welcoming.

Cavallo soon turned into a target of homophobic abuse by opposition fans.

During early 2022 a competing team were penalized five thousand dollars over discriminatory chants from fans aimed toward Cavallo during a game.

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

“I didn't react because responding would encourage detractors.”

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

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

“Should this be tolerated? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, this is what it brings.

“I hope that future individuals who reveals their orientation while competing in soccer at a high level doesn't have to experience the journey I have endured.”

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

“It's disappointing because I am having to explain why I deserve a place on the soccer pitch for being who I am,” 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, positive person. But sometimes when I lean on my fiance, his name, and he witnesses a lot that happens privately.”

‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’

Cavallo's decision to reveal his sexuality helped prompt teenage attacking player Jake Daniels to announce he was gay as the UK's only openly gay playing soccer professional in May 2022.

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

“It would move mountains,” says Cavallo on the impact a elite athlete revealing their orientation would have.

“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. There are a lot of scary things that would await this individual. In the world of football, 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, the current athlete has discussed the “harmful male culture” that persists in professional soccer.

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

“Much remains to be done to ensure there is a secure environment in football for people like myself and his colleague.

“Progress has been limited (more players coming out) 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 football changing rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘I'm here to create change’

Cavallo says football has allowed him to have conversations inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.

However, he is critical of soccer's global governing body, after Qatar, where same-sex relationships are against the law, 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 ban gay unions, where people like me will be put in prison for merely living on their territory? It's frightening,” states the athlete.

“I receive communications [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I face imprisonment for being who I am - can you help me?’.

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

“Certain nations that are significant soccer markets and they reject LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that often focus on me.”

Nevertheless, Cavallo says he will not stop speaking up.

“Football has allowed me to start conversations in the locker room. It lets me communicate and inform individuals who seek understanding.

“Some will disapprove 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.”