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

After announcing he was gay 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. “Nobody should have to endure such words.

“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 sign with 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 Cambridgeshire part-timers by speaking up on inclusion matters and leveraging his platform - boasting over a million followers on Instagram - to champion equality and acceptance.

“Absolutely, we've got mountains to do,” Cavallo says when questioned about ongoing issues with discrimination.

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

‘People want to harm me’

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

“All I want to do is play football and be treated equally,” he stated in an accompanying video.

Cavallo was twenty-one and building his reputation at his Australian club 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 phone was flooded with messages of support. It was overwhelming.”

A prominent club were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for the player, with the coach at the time the German manager saying: “I'm really thankful that he took this step because now we talk again.”

Spanish player Gerard Pique also offered support, posting online that “soccer culture is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club released a comment supporting their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.

Some people, however, were not so accepting.

The footballer soon turned into a target of homophobic abuse by rival supporters.

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

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

“I remained calm 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 media attention.

“It was terrifying,” he remembers. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is happening - people want to harm me’.

“Should this be tolerated? Definitely not. But by coming out, this is what it brings.

“I hope that future individuals who reveals their orientation while competing in soccer at a high level won't face the path I have endured.”

The player says the daily death threats and hostile communications have affected his mental health.

“It's disappointing because I am having to explain 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?’.

“Many individuals see me as a cheerful, optimistic person. But there are days when I rely on my partner, Leighton, and he witnesses a lot that happens privately.”

‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’

Cavallo's decision to reveal his sexuality helped inspire teenage Blackpool forward Jake Daniels to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out playing soccer professional in May 2022.

However, there are no openly gay or bisexual players in the Premier League.

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

“But I must be honest. Numerous frightening aspects that would await this individual. In the world of football, being an openly gay player is a highly hostile environment.”

Twenty-seven years after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - died by suicide in 1998, Cavallo has discussed the “toxic masculinity” that still exists in men's football.

“Simply attend to a match and observe the unfriendly atmosphere and masculinity that the audience creates,” he says.

“There is still a lot of work to ensure there is a safe space in soccer for people like myself and his colleague.

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

“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’

Cavallo says football has allowed him to have conversations within team environments about revealing one's orientation.

Yet, he is disapproving toward soccer's global governing body, after the Middle Eastern nation, where homosexual partnerships are against the law, hosted the men's World Cup in 2022.

Future World Cup will be held in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is similarly prohibited.

“Am I impressed that the World Cup is in nations that criminalise same-sex marriages, where people like me will be imprisoned for merely living on that land? It's scary,” says the athlete.

“I receive communications [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for my identity - is assistance possible?’.

“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 LGBTQ+ people. These places that often focus on me.”

Despite this, the footballer says he won't cease advocating.

“Soccer has enabled dialogue in the changing room. It lets me communicate and inform individuals who want to learn more.

“Some will disapprove for who you are. But I have found my family. I've connected with similar people.

“My purpose is to drive progress. That's my objective.”