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

Since revealing he was gay in 2021, footballer the athlete has received daily death threats and hateful comments on social media.

“Upon reading those comments, 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 during matches, and then face criticism due to my identity. It's appalling.”

Midfielder the sportsman was playing for Adelaide United back in 2020 when he emerged as the sole publicly out elite soccer player in the world.

Recently he departed from Australia to join lower-tier club Peterborough Sports, who play in front of crowds of about 400 in National League North, the sixth tier of English football.

The 25-year-old combines playing for the semi-professional team by advocating for LGBTQ+ issues and using his profile - boasting over a million followers on social media - to champion equality and acceptance.

“Absolutely, there's enormous work ahead,” the footballer says 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 am homosexual” before revealing his sexuality on 27 October 2021.

“All I want to do is compete in soccer and receive fair treatment,” he said in an related clip.

Cavallo was twenty-one and making a name for himself at Adelaide United in Australia's top flight 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 needed to move forward.”

The heartfelt revelation clip, titled ‘His Personal Story’, went viral on social media.

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

A prominent club were one of many high-profile clubs around the world to express support for the player, with the coach at the time the German manager saying: “I appreciate that he did it because it sparks conversation.”

Spanish player the athlete also expressed backing, posting online that “the world of football is far behind and your actions drive progress”, while his former club issued a statement supporting their “extraordinary” and “courageous” player.

Others, however, were not so accepting.

The footballer quickly became a subject to anti-gay remarks by opposition fans.

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

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

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

There was a frightening incident at a gas station in Australia, where the athlete was assaulted by someone who recognised him from the media attention.

“That was a scary moment,” he remembers. “The thought crossed my mind ‘this is real - individuals intend to hurt me’.

“Should this be tolerated? Absolutely not. But through my disclosure, this is what it brings.

“I hope that the next person who comes out while playing football at a professional standard doesn't have to experience the journey I have endured.”

The player says the daily death threats and hostile communications have taken a toll on 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 says.

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

“A lot of people see me as a cheerful, positive person. But there are days when I lean on my fiance, his name, and he witnesses a lot that happens behind the scenes.”

‘Top-tier athlete revealing orientation would create waves’

Cavallo's decision to disclose his orientation helped prompt teenage attacking player another athlete to come out as the Britain's sole publicly out active male professional footballer in May 2022.

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

“It would create massive change,” says Cavallo on the effect a elite athlete revealing their orientation would have.

“But I must be honest. There are a lot of scary things that would come this person's way. In the world of football, identifying as LGBTQ is a highly hostile environment.”

Twenty-seven years after Justin Fashanu - the UK's initial out soccer professional - took his own life in 1998, Cavallo has discussed the “toxic masculinity” that persists in men's football.

“Simply attend to a game and see the hostile environment and male-dominated culture that the crowd brings,” he says.

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

“We haven't seen it (additional athletes revealing their orientation) as much as we would like.

“My role is to continue advocating for what I think is right, and strive for taking out the harmful male norms in soccer locker rooms and creating a safe space.”

‘I'm here to create change’

The player says football has allowed him to have conversations inside dressing rooms about revealing one's orientation.

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

Future World Cup is scheduled in another Gulf state, where homosexuality is also illegal.

“Am I impressed that the global championship is in nations that ban gay unions, where people like me will be put in prison for just existing on their territory? It's frightening,” says Cavallo.

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

“It breaks my heart that people are getting locked up for being who they are.

“Certain nations that are huge in terms of football and they reject LGBTQ+ people. These places that tend to target me.”

Despite this, Cavallo 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.

“Not everyone is going to like you for who you are. But I've discovered support. I've connected with similar people.

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