Romano Floriani Mussolini
Personal information
Full name Romano Benito Floriani Mussolini
Date of birth (2003-01-27) 27 January 2003 (age 20)
Place of birth Rome, Italy
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Right-back, right midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Pescara (on loan from Lazio)
Number 15
Youth career
0000–2016 Roma
2016–2022 Lazio
2018 → Vigor Perconti (loan)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022– Lazio 0 (0)
2023– → Pescara (loan) 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:59, 2 October 2023 (UTC)

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 C Group B club Pescara, on loan from Lazio.

He is the son of politician Alessandra Mussolini, the grandson of pianist Romano Mussolini and the great-grandson of the Italian fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.

Early life

Floriani Mussolini was born in 2003 as the third child of Mauro Floriani and former 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]

References

  1. ^ a b "Il Duce's name is all right for my son". The Times. 9 October 2003. Archived from the original on 5 August 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  2. ^ "Benito Mussolini's great-grandson joins Lazio's Primavera". Forza Italian Football. 14 September 2014. Archived from the original on 2 February 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  3. ^ "Mussolini Jr: "Alla Lazio il mio cognome non pesa, qui sono solo Romano"" (in Italian). Il Messaggero. Archived from the original on 3 February 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Romano Mussolini, alla Lazio Primavera il figlio di Alessandra | Sky Sport" (in Italian). Sky Sport. 3 February 2021. Archived from the original on 2 February 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  5. ^ a b Giovanna Tedde. "Chi sono Caterina, Clarissa e Romano, figli di Alessandra Mussolini" (in Italian). Donna Glamour. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d "Great-grandson of fascist dictator Mussolini joins Lazio's under-19 team". The Guardian. 3 February 2021. Archived from the original on 3 February 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  7. ^ "Landmark case means Italian mums can give children their surname". The Local. 10 November 2016. Archived from the original on 6 February 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  8. ^ "Lazio, dalla Roma arriva il 2003 Floriani Mussolini" (in Italian). Footballscouting.it. Archived from the original on 5 August 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  9. ^ "Vigor Perconti: dalla Lazio arriva Floriani Mussolini" (in Italian). Gazzetta Regionale. 3 January 2019. Archived from the original on 1 April 2021. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  10. ^ Agenzia ANSA. "Lazio: il tecnico "Mussolini? Il nome non conta, ha le qualità"" (in Italian). ANSA. Archived from the original on 2 February 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  11. ^ "Lazio sign Benito Mussolini's great-grandson Romano Floriani Mussolini on deal until 2024". Sky Sports. 24 March 2021. Archived from the original on 24 March 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  12. ^ "Serie A: Mussolini's great-grandson, Romano Floriani Mussolini, in Lazio squad for Verona clash". Firstpost. 24 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  13. ^ "ROMANO FLORIANI MUSSOLINI CEDUTO A TITOLO TEMPORANEO" (in Italian). SS Lazio. 3 August 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  14. ^ "Chi è Romano Floriani Mussolini della Lazio: caratteristiche" (in Italian). Minutidirecupero.it. 26 August 2014. Archived from the original on 28 February 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  15. ^ "Un Mussolini en la cantera de la Lazio" (in Spanish). Marca. 2 February 2021. Archived from the original on 2 February 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.

External links

Delfino Pescara 1936 – current squad
Benito Mussolini
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