Gollini, the rapper in gloves looking to silence Mbappé

Billed as the rapper in gloves looking to silence Mbappé, Pierluigi Gollini is in the spotlight ahead of Roma’s meeting with Real Madrid. Svilar’s injury gives him a chance to reassert himself against the Madrid club at the Olympic Stadium. Gollini has been waiting a long time for an opportunity like this. He has also turned his Champions League dream into rap.

The goalkeeper made his first start of the season on Sunday against Como. Roma drew 0-0 despite Malen’s dismissal leaving his team a player down. That performance gives Gollini a platform ahead of the opportunity now in front of him.

Music has been part of Gollini’s story for years. His goalkeeping career, by contrast, has been less settled: at 31, he has moved from club to club without finding the consistency he had in Bergamo. Since arriving in 2025, he has also lived in Svilar’s shadow.

A goalkeeper had joined Atalanta permanently in June 2018. Eight years later, the Italian has a chance to make himself heard: Svilar’s injury opens up a place in Roma’s goal just before the visit of Real Madrid to the Olympic Stadium. For Gollini, the occasion brings a sporting test together with a Champions League dream he has put to music.