Romano Floriani Mussolini
Italian footballer (born 2003)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Romano Benito Floriani Mussolini[1] (born 27 January 2003),[2] also referred to as Mussolini Jr. by Italian media,[3] is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Serie A club Cremonese, on loan from Lazio.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Romano Benito Floriani Mussolini | ||
| Date of birth | 27 January 2003 | ||
| Place of birth | Rome, Italy | ||
| Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||
| Position(s) | |||
| Team information | |||
Current team |
Cremonese (on loan from Lazio) | ||
| Number | 22 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2016 | Roma | ||
| 2016–2022 | Lazio | ||
| 2018 | → Vigor Perconti (loan) | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2022– | Lazio | 0 | (0) |
| 2023–2024 | → Pescara (loan) | 28 | (0) |
| 2024–2025 | → Juve Stabia (loan) | 33 | (1) |
| 2025– | → Cremonese (loan) | 1 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 07:00, 30 August 2025 (UTC) | |||
He is the son of politician Alessandra Mussolini, the grandson of pianist Romano Mussolini, and the great-grandson of the fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.
Early life
Floriani Mussolini was born in 2003 as the third child of Mauro Floriani and politician Alessandra Mussolini.[4][5] His grandfather, Romano Mussolini, was a pianist, and his great-grandfather was Italian fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.[6] His great-aunt is actress Sophia Loren.
He has a double surname as a result.[5] This was done as an exception to Italian name customs with Italian civil authorities and Catholic Church agreeing to it at his baptism as double surnames were not usually allowed under Italian law at the time of his birth.[1][7]
Career
Romano started his football career in the youth system of Roma before moving to Lazio at age 13.[4][8] Whilst at Lazio, he was loaned out in 2018 to amateur club Vigor Perconti.[9] This came after he did not get any game time at Lazio for two years before he made his debut for the under-17s.[10]
When asked if Romano's name would affect his playing time, Lazio's youth coach Mauro Bianchessi stated: "The burdensome surname? I've never spoken to his parents, and the only thing that matters is whether a player deserves to play. Nothing else."[6] Despite this, Romano wears either his given name or "Floriani M." on the back of his shirts.[11] In March 2021, he signed his first professional contract with Lazio until 2024.[12]
Romano was first called up to Lazio's first team on 24 October 2021, in a Serie A game against Hellas Verona as an unused substitute.[13]
On 3 August 2023, Lazio announced to have loaned Romano to Serie C club Pescara, a team coached by former Biancazzurri boss Zdeněk Zeman.[14]
On 5 July 2024, he joined Serie B side Juve Stabia on loan.[15][16] Later that year, on 22 December, he scored his first goal in a 1–0 victory over Cesena.[17] During the goal celebration, the stadium announcer called out his first name, "Romano", seven times, with fans responding by chanting "Mussolini" and giving fascist salutes.[18][19]
On 14 July 2025, he moved on a new loan to Serie A club Cremonese, with an option to buy.[20]
Personal life
Romano gained attention after appearing on television with his mother on Ballando con le Stelle.[21] Despite his surname and lineage, he expressed no interest in politics.[6][22] He was educated at St. George's British International School in Rome, and signed for Lazio whilst still studying.[6]