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

After announcing his homosexuality in 2021, player the athlete has faced constant threats and abusive messages on social media.

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

“I'm working to improve my skills and be the best I can be during matches, and then get put down due to my identity. It's appalling.”

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

Recently he left Australia to sign with lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, one level below of English football.

This young athlete balances his sports career for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by advocating for inclusion matters and leveraging his platform - he has more than one million followers on Instagram - to promote fairness and inclusion.

“Absolutely, we've got mountains to do,” Cavallo comments when asked if football still has a problem with discrimination.

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

‘Individuals wish to hurt me’

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

“My only desire is compete in soccer and be treated equally,” he said in an related clip.

The player was twenty-one and making a name for himself at Adelaide United in the premier division when, backed by his colleagues, he publicly came out.

“The future was uncertain. I didn't know what to expect,” he says. “The moment seemed appropriate in my life. I wanted to take the next step.”

The heartfelt revelation clip, entitled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral on digital platforms.

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

A prominent club were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to show solidarity with Cavallo, with then manager the German manager saying: “I'm really thankful that he did it because it sparks conversation.”

Spanish player Gerard Pique also expressed backing, writing on social media that “the world of football is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club released a comment backing their “extraordinary” and “brave” player.

Others, however, were less welcoming.

Cavallo quickly became a subject to homophobic abuse by rival supporters.

During early 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined A$5,000 over anti-gay abuse from fans aimed toward the player during a game.

“The comments I encountered were hurtful and derogatory towards LGBTQ people,” he says.

“I remained calm because responding would encourage detractors.”

A scary event occurred at a gas station in Australia, where the athlete was physically attacked by an individual who identified him from the media attention.

“It was terrifying,” he remembers. “I remember thinking ‘this is happening - people want to harm me’.

“Is it acceptable? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, this is what it brings.

“My wish is that the next person who comes out while competing in soccer at a professional standard won't face the journey I have endured.”

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

“It's quite sad because I am having to explain why I belong 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 smiling, positive person. But sometimes when I rely on my partner, Leighton, and he gets to see a lot that happens privately.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

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

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

“It would create massive change,” comments the footballer on the impact a Premier League player coming out would make.

“But I must be honest. 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 a pioneering player - the UK's initial out soccer professional - took his own life in 1998, the current athlete has spoken about the “toxic masculinity” that still exists in men's football.

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

“Much remains to be done to ensure there is a secure environment in soccer for people like myself and Jake.

“Progress has been limited (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as much as we would like.

“I can only keep pushing for principles I believe in, and strive for taking out the harmful male norms in soccer locker rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘I'm here to create change’

Cavallo says football has enabled discussions inside dressing rooms about coming out.

However, he is critical of Fifa, after Qatar, where homosexual partnerships are against the law, staged the global tournament in 2022.

The 2034 tournament is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where same-sex attraction is similarly prohibited.

“Do I approve that the global championship is in nations that ban gay unions, where people like me will be imprisoned for merely living on that land? It's frightening,” 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 - is assistance possible?’.

“It's devastating that people are getting locked up for being who they are.

“There are countries that are huge in terms of football and they don't accept the queer community. These places that often focus on me.”

Despite this, the footballer says he will not stop speaking up.

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

“Not everyone is going to like you for your identity. But I've discovered support. I have found my community.

“My purpose is to create change. That's my objective.”