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

Since revealing his homosexuality in 2021, footballer the athlete has received daily death threats and abusive messages on online platforms.

“When I first saw these messages, it broke my heart,” the player states. “Nobody should have to endure such words.

“I'm working to improve my skills and reach my full potential during matches, and then face criticism because of who I am. It's disgusting.”

Player Cavallo was at Adelaide United four years ago when he emerged as the sole publicly out elite soccer player in the world.

This summer he left Australia to join lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in the sixth division, one level below of the English soccer system.

This young athlete combines playing for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by advocating for LGBTQ+ issues and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on social media - to promote fairness and acceptance.

“Definitely, we've got mountains to do,” the footballer says when questioned about ongoing issues with homophobia.

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

‘Individuals wish to hurt me’

Several years passed for Cavallo to build up the bravery to say “I'm gay” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.

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

Cavallo was 21 and building his reputation at his Australian club in the premier division when, with the support of his team-mates, he announced his orientation publicly.

“The future was uncertain. I had no expectations,” he recalls. “It felt like the right time in my life. I needed to move forward.”

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

“My phone was flooded with encouraging words. It was overwhelming.”

A prominent club were among numerous famous teams around the world to show solidarity with the player, with then manager the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he took this step because it sparks conversation.”

Barcelona defender the athlete also offered support, posting online that “the world of football is lagging behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United released a comment backing their “remarkable” and “courageous” player.

Others, however, were not so accepting.

The footballer quickly became a subject to homophobic abuse by rival supporters.

In January 2022 a competing team were fined five thousand dollars over discriminatory chants from fans directed at Cavallo during a match.

“The comments I encountered were painful and derogatory 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 Cavallo was assaulted by someone who recognised 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.

“My wish is that the next person 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 constant menacing messages and abusive messages 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 being who I am,” he says.

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

“Many individuals see me as a smiling, optimistic person. But sometimes when I lean on my fiance, his name, and he gets to see much of what occurs privately.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped prompt 17-year-old Blackpool forward another athlete to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out playing soccer professional in spring 2022.

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

“It would move mountains,” comments 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, being an openly gay player is a very toxic place.”

Twenty-seven years after a pioneering player - Britain's first openly gay male footballer - died by suicide in 1998, Cavallo has spoken about the “harmful male culture” that persists in men's football.

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

“There is still a lot of work to make sure there is a secure environment in football for people like myself and his colleague.

“We haven't seen it (more players coming out) as much as we would like.

“My role is to continue advocating for what I think is right, and work towards taking out the harmful male norms in soccer locker rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

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

However, he is disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, after Qatar, where same-sex relationships are illegal, staged the global tournament in 2022.

The 2034 tournament 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 individuals like myself will be put in prison for just existing on their territory? It's scary,” states the athlete.

“I get messages [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for being who I am - 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. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”

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

“Football 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 have found my family. I've connected with similar people.

“My purpose is to drive progress. That's what I'm here for.”