After a century of Milan’s founding, the first Spanish-speaking player of Milan, was Jose Mari. However, in the twenties, a Spaniard named Umberto Soldati, also a supporter of Madrid, would come to play. Soldati’s father was from the Italian town of Rovigo who emigrated to Spain to find work. He returned to Italy with his family, at the time with the young Umberto playing in Libertas, and whose youth sector was entrusted to the care of Kilpin.
In 1921 he moved to Milan remaining there for three years, during which he played fifty games. Soldati (English translation of his name would be “Soldiers”) combined business with pleasure: while playing on the field he also got the idea of graduating from law school. From this came the birth his nickname “Devil’s Advocate” (Avvocato del Diavolo). He played the part well during his games as he preferred not to hit the ball with his head to avoid messing up his hair before presenting himself in court.
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