Ugo Rietmann

Hugo Eugen Rietmann, later known by the Italianized name Ugo (Calprino, 26 August 1886 – Milan, 2 October 1959), was a Swiss-born naturalized Italian entrepreneur, footballer, referee, and manager, who played as a midfielder.

A member of the ancient ruling patrician Rietmann family of St. Gallen , he is best remembered in sporting history as one of the key founding members of Inter Milan. In 1948, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the F.I.G.C. (Italian Football Federation), he was honored with the title of Pioneer of Italian Football.

Biography Born in Calprino (renamed Paradiso in 1929) in the Canton of Ticino and raised in the Kyburg castle, to Werner Rietmann and Maria Schlegelhe, he belonged to a historic Swiss patrician lineage. Rietmann settled in Milan, where he established himself as an entrepreneur and merchant in the textile industry, with offices located at Piazza della Scala No. 4.

Despite holding Swiss citizenship, he maintained a deep bond with Italy. During the Great War, he volunteered for the Royal Italian Army, serving as an officer in the Italian Red Cross.

He is buried at the Monumental Cemetery of Milan in the section dedicated to Protestants, listed among the "Illustrious Burials" of the cemetery.

Sporting Career

Footballer and the Foundation of Inter A passionate athlete, Rietmann began his football career playing for various Milanese and Lombard clubs of the era, including SEF Ginnastica Mediolanum , Foot-Ball Club Bergamo , and AC Milan . While at Milan, however, he never made an official appearance for the first team. Italian National Team: Between 1914 and 1920, he was appointed three times to the Technical Commissions responsible for selecting and managing the Italian national team.

Inter supporters' choreography at San Siro featuring founders and directors (from left: Paramithiotti, Muggiani, Rietmann, Hirzel, Bach, Ansbacher, Glockner, and Hans Rietmann).

Honors

Pioneer of Italian Football (1898–1948): Awarded by the F.I.G.C. in 1948 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Federation.