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

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

“When I first saw these messages, it broke my heart,” Cavallo explains. “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 because of who I am. It's disgusting.”

Player the sportsman was at Adelaide United back in 2020 when he emerged as the sole publicly out top-flight male professional footballer in the world.

This summer he left Australia to sign with lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who compete before audiences of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of English football.

This young athlete combines playing 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.

“Definitely, we've got mountains to do,” Cavallo 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 the athlete to build up the bravery to say “I'm gay” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.

“My only desire is compete in soccer and receive fair treatment,” he stated in an accompanying video.

Cavallo was 21 and making a name for himself at Adelaide United in Australia's top flight when, backed by his colleagues, he announced his orientation publicly.

“I didn't know what was ahead. 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’, gained massive attention on digital platforms.

“My mobile phone exploded with messages of support. It was overwhelming.”

A prominent club were among numerous famous teams around the world to express support for Cavallo, with then manager the German manager saying: “I'm really thankful that he took this step because it sparks conversation.”

Barcelona defender the athlete also offered support, writing on social media that “the world of football is lagging behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club released a comment supporting their “remarkable” and “brave” player.

Some people, however, were less welcoming.

The footballer quickly became a subject to anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.

In January 2022 a competing team were fined A$5,000 over discriminatory chants from fans aimed toward the player during a game.

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

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

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

“That was a scary moment,” he recalls. “I remember thinking ‘this is happening - individuals intend to hurt me’.

“Is it acceptable? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, these are the consequences.

“My wish is that future individuals who comes out while playing football at a professional standard doesn't have to experience the journey I have experienced.”

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

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

“Heterosexual players aren't questioned and ask ‘what gives you the right in football?’.

“A lot of people see me as a cheerful, positive person. But there are days when I rely on my partner, Leighton, and he witnesses much of what occurs privately.”

‘Premier League player coming out would move mountains’

The player's choice to reveal his sexuality helped inspire teenage Blackpool forward Jake Daniels to come out as the UK's only openly gay active male professional footballer in spring 2022.

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

“It would move mountains,” comments the footballer on the impact a elite athlete revealing their orientation would make.

“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. Numerous frightening aspects that would come this person's way. Within soccer culture, identifying as LGBTQ is a highly hostile environment.”

Over two decades after a pioneering player - the UK's initial out soccer professional - took his own life in 1998, the current athlete has discussed 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 crowd brings,” he explains.

“There is still a lot of work to make sure there is a safe space in soccer for individuals like me and Jake.

“Progress has been limited (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as frequently as desired.

“I can only keep pushing for what I think is right, and strive for eliminating the harmful male norms in soccer locker rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘My mission is to drive progress’

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

However, he is critical of soccer's global governing body, after the Middle Eastern nation, where homosexual partnerships are illegal, staged the global tournament in 2022.

Future World Cup is scheduled in Saudi Arabia, where same-sex attraction is also illegal.

“Am I impressed that the global championship is in countries that ban gay unions, where people like me will be imprisoned for just existing on that land? It's scary,” states the athlete.

“I get messages [from people living in these countries] saying ‘I'm about to be put in prison for my identity - can you help me?’.

“It breaks my heart that individuals are incarcerated for their true selves.

“There are countries that are huge in terms of football and they reject LGBTQ+ people. Those are the countries that often focus on me.”

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

“Football has allowed me to start conversations in the changing room. It has allowed me to speak and educate people who want to learn more.

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

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