Ruben dos Santos Galto Alves Dias is a Portuguese professional footballer. He plays as a center-back for the Premier League club Manchester City, and the Portugal national soccer team. Dias is considered one of the greatest defenders in the World. He is well-known for his strength, leadership and aerial abilities.
Dias was a youth player at Benfica’s youth academy. In 2015, he began playing for Benfica B. He was then promoted to the first team in 2017. Dias was also named Primeira Liga’s Young player of the year. Dias’ performance in 2018-19 saw Benfica win the league title and then the Supertaca Candido de Oliveira in 2019. He was also named Team of the Year in Primeira Liga, having made over 100 appearances. In September 2020, he signed for Premier League club Manchester City for a reported EUR68 million. This was the second-highest fee paid for a Portuguese player to leave the domestic league. Dias won the league title, EFL Cup and steered the club to their first UEFA Champions League final. Dias was also named FWA Footballer and Manchester City Player, Premier League Player, Season, and UEFA Champions League Defender for the Season in 2021.
Dias was a former Portugal youth international. He represented his country at the under-16, under-17 and under-19 levels. In 2018, Dias made his senior international debut, being selected in Portugal’s squads to the 2018 World Cup, 2019 UEFA Nations League Finals, and UEFA Euro 2020. He won the 2019 tournament on Portuguese soil and was named in the tournament’s team of the tournament as well as the man of the match.
| Full name | Ruben dos Santos Gato Alves Dias |
| Date of birth | 14 May 1997 (age 24, |
| Place of birth | Amadora, Portugal |
| Height | 1.86m (6 ft 1in) |
| Position(s) | Centre-back |
| Club information | |
| Current team | Manchester City |
| Number | 3 |
Early life
Dias was born and raised in Amadora. He has an older brother, Ivan, who is a professional football player. Dias also has two sisters Beatriz, Carolina and Carolina who affectionately called him “Ruby”. Dias grew up idolizing Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, as well as Vincent Kompany, who he admired playing in the Premier League. He played football whenever he could, either in the street or at home with his brother Ivan.
Personal life
Since 2018, Dias was with Portuguese pop star April Ivy, before they split in September 2021.
Style of play
Dias is a right-footed, physically strong centre-back. He usually plays on the left-hand side in central defence due to his ability to pass the ball with both of his feet. Dias can pass in many directions. He can switch the ball to the opposite side, to teammates on the same side, or make vertical line-breaking passes. Dias’ two-footedness and excellent passing range allow him to dictate play from the back. Dias’s strength on the ball is when he shields it from forwards. Dias is calm with the ball and doesn’t feel pressured. Dias is very proficient in passing, particularly longer passes. His passing ability and quality is able help his team keep possession. Dias is also a dominant airman, winning the majority of his aerial duels. He looks for his teammates and finds them regularly. Dias’ size helps him win tackles well. He is also great at bodying up players to win the ball back. Dias is very good at timing, as he can anticipate and react to a player’s actions or respond for a “last ditch” challenge.
Pep Guardiola, his Manchester City manager, said that Dias is “a centre back who leads defensive line and helps others make good decisions. The same applies to midfielders. He is a player who can live every moment of the match always being focused on what needs to be done and making his partner better.” Jose Mourinho would call Dias the “best centre back in the world for the Premier League” and he gained more experience, knowledge.
Gary Neville, a former Manchester United defender, said that Dias “is the type of player that makes the entire team feel safe.” Jamie Carragher, a former Liverpool defender, said that Dias reminded him of Carles Puyol. He also noted his “leadership skills” and compared Dias to the legendary Barcelona defender.
