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“You don't belong on this earth” ... “What are you doing here?” ... “Don't take another breath.”

After announcing he was gay in 2021, player the athlete has received daily death threats and abusive messages on social media.

“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 be the best I can be on the pitch, and then face criticism due to my identity. It's appalling.”

Midfielder the sportsman was playing for Adelaide United four years ago 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 English football.

This young athlete balances his sports career for the semi-professional team by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues and using his profile - he has more than one million followers on social media - to promote fairness and acceptance.

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

“I don't go more than a week without hearing about an issue.”

‘People want to harm me’

Several years passed for Cavallo to work up the courage to say “I am homosexual” before coming out on October 27th, 2021.

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

The player was 21 and making a name for himself at Adelaide United in the premier division when, with the support of his team-mates, 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 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 encouraging words. The response was incredible.”

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

Spanish player Gerard Pique also expressed backing, writing on social media that “the world of football is far behind and you are helping us move forward”, while Adelaide United issued a statement supporting their “remarkable” and “brave” player.

Others, however, were not so accepting.

The footballer soon turned into a subject to anti-gay remarks by rival supporters.

In January 2022 Melbourne Victory were fined five thousand dollars over anti-gay abuse from fans aimed toward Cavallo during a game.

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

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

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 real - 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 comes out while playing football at a high level doesn't have to experience the path I have endured.”

Cavallo says the daily death threats 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 gets to see a lot that happens behind the scenes.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

Cavallo's decision to reveal his sexuality helped inspire 17-year-old Blackpool forward Jake Daniels to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out playing soccer professional in spring 2022.

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

“It would move mountains,” says Cavallo on the impact a Premier League player coming out would have.

“But I'm not going to sugar-coat it. There are a lot of scary things that would await this individual. Within soccer culture, identifying as LGBTQ is a very toxic place.”

Over two decades after Justin Fashanu - 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 professional soccer.

“Simply attend to a game and see the unfriendly atmosphere and male-dominated culture that the audience creates,” he explains.

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

“We haven't seen it (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 toxic masculinity in soccer locker rooms and establishing secure environments.”

‘I'm here to create change’

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

However, he is critical of Fifa, after Qatar, 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 same-sex attraction is also illegal.

“Do I approve that the World Cup is in nations that ban gay unions, where people like me will be imprisoned for merely living on their territory? It's scary,” says Cavallo.

“I receive communications [from residents of such nations] saying ‘I face imprisonment for my identity - is assistance possible?’.

“It breaks my heart that individuals are incarcerated for being who they are.

“There are countries that are huge in terms of football and they don't accept the queer community. Those are the countries that tend to target me.”

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

“Soccer has allowed me to start conversations in the locker room. It has allowed me to speak and inform individuals who seek understanding.

“Some will disapprove for who you are. But I have found my family. I have found my community.

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