Dictator's Great-Grandson: Promising Footballer With A Controversial Surname

Last Updated:September 02, 2025, 09:49 IST

This Italian footballer is grabbing headlines, not just for his talent, but for a surname that echoes through history.

Despite his controversial surname, Romano Floriani Mussolini is focused on his football career and building his own legacy. (News18)

The name Mussolini is etched into history as one of the most infamous and controversial. Benito Mussolini, the Italian dictator who ruled from 1922 to 1943, is remembered as one of the most ruthless leaders of the 20th century. Today, however, his great-grandson is making headlines; not in politics, but on the football pitch.

The Rising Star With A Heavy Name

Romano Floriani Mussolini, a promising young footballer, is attracting attention not only for his growing skills on the field but also for the weight of his surname. At just 22 years old, the question follows him with every touch of the ball: Is his surname a burden or a motivation? When he scores, are the cheers for Romano the player, or for the name on his back?

His journey is a fascinating intersection of sporting ambition and historical legacy, caught between the passion of football and the enduring shadow of a name once feared across Europe.

A Memorable Serie A Debut

Romano made his Serie A debut just two days ago, playing for Cremonese, who have taken him on loan from Lazio. His team secured a thrilling 3-2 win against Sassuolo, and Romano played a crucial role.

With only eight minutes remaining, he won a decisive penalty, converted by Manuel De Luca, sealing Cremonese’s second consecutive victory and pushing them to the top of the Serie A table.

Notably, Romano did not make the squad for Cremonese’s opening match against AC Milan the week before. Speaking after his debut, he reflected: “A lot happened in a very short time. I don’t think I’ll ever forget Friday night. I always dreamed of playing in Serie A. My goal was to make a difference, and I’m happy I was able to do so."

He currently wears shirt number 22, with just ‘Romano’ printed on the back.

More Than A Name: The Weight Of Legacy

Romano is the son of former Italian and European MP Alessandra Mussolini, and the great-grandson of Benito Mussolini, founder of the National Fascist Party. Benito Mussolini established the National Fascist Party in Italy and ruled the country from 1922 until he was removed from power in 1943. During World War II, he allied with Adolf Hitler and was captured and executed in 1945. Romano’s connection to such a controversial legacy has sparked ongoing public debate.

Despite this, Romano remains uninterested in politics and insists that he focuses solely on his game. Last season, he played for Juve Stabia in Serie B, where he scored once. Shockingly, some fans celebrated that goal with fascist salutes and chants of his surname, gestures linked to his great-grandfather’s dictatorship.

These reactions highlight the complex legacy and uncomfortable symbolism that continue to follow Romano.

‘My Surname Is Heavy For Others, Not For Me’

In a recent press conference, Romano addressed the issue directly: “I’ve come here to play football. My surname? It’s bothered others more than it’s ever bothered me. It’s a heavy name for others, but not for me. The less we talk about it, the better. I just want to express myself on the pitch. Nothing more. I want to gain valuable experience in Serie A and play as much as I can against top players."

Fascism In Italian Football Culture

Romano’s story cannot be told in isolation from the broader context of far-right influence in Italian football. Several clubs, most notably Lazio, have long-standing fan groups with fascist leanings.

Lazio’s infamous ultras group, the Irriducibili, has been linked with far-right ideology since the 1970s and has had friendly ties with like-minded supporter groups from Inter Milan and Hellas Verona.

Verona’s fans, in particular, have been involved in numerous racist and neo-fascist controversies:

• Racist chants directed at players like Mario Balotelli and Franck Kessié
• Display of swastika symbols inside stadiums
• A 2014 fan event where cars were arranged to form Nazi symbols
• A horrific 1990s incident where Verona fans wearing Ku Klux Klan hoods hung an effigy of black Dutch player Maikel Ferrier in protest of his potential signing which was later cancelled.

These incidents show the deep-seated ideological tensions that still influence parts of the football culture in Italy today.

A Versatile And Determined Talent

Romano is far from just a headline. He’s a versatile footballer, capable of playing both as a right-back and a winger. He started his career at KAS Roma before joining Lazio’s youth academy at age 13.

Despite being on Lazio’s books since 2022, he has not featured for the senior team. Instead, he’s been loaned out to develop his game, first to Pescara in the 2023-24 season, where he made 32 appearances, and then to Juve Stabia, where he played 37 matches the season prior.

Lazio reportedly considered a permanent move from Juve Stabia but ultimately decided to retain him, indicating their belief in his potential.

Speaking of his future, Romano stated: “Right now, my focus is on giving everything for Cremonese. I want to prove myself and live up to expectations."

Football First, History Second

In the end, Romano Floriani Mussolini wants to be remembered not for the surname that echoes through history, but for his own story, written with sweat, ambition, and football.

He doesn’t deny his lineage, but he refuses to be defined by it.

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Location :

Italy

First Published:

September 02, 2025, 09:49 IST

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