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 or right midfielder for Serie A club 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) | Right-back, right midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Lazio | ||
| Number | – | ||
| 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) | 32 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15 june 2024 | |||
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 the Roman 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
Floriani Mussolini started his football career by playing in the youth teams at Roma, before moving to play for Lazio when he was 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 the player's name would limit 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] In March 2021, Floriani Mussolini signed a professional senior contract with Lazio until 2024.[11]
He 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.[12]
On 3 August 2023, Lazio announced to have loaned him to Serie C club Pescara, a team coached by former Biancazzurri boss Zdeněk Zeman.[13]
Personal life
Floriani Mussolini gained attention after appearing on television with his mother on Ballando con le Stelle.[14] Despite his surname and lineage, Floriani Mussolini stated he has no interest in politics.[6][15] He was educated at St. George's British International School in Rome, and signed for Lazio whilst still studying.[6]