Ruben Dias started his professional career with Benfica, after being spotted by scouts when playing for his local team Estrela da Amadora.
After joining Benfica’s academy, he spent time playing as a forward and midfielder before establishing himself as a centre-half.
It was somewhat fitting as Dias is said to have grown up idolising the likes of Chelsea legend John Terry and Manchester United’s Rio Ferdinand.
Dias’s career at Benfica
The defender made his professional debut for the Portuguese side’s B team in September 2015 and it was only a matter of months before he was included in a matchday squad for the senior setup.
It did take a while for Dias to get his first-team bow, though, making his first appearance near the start of the 2017/18 camapign against Boavista.
The centre-back didn’t look back from there, becoming a regular starter over the next three seasons, winning the league title with Benfica in 2019.
Moving to City and subsequent success
Dias’s performances came to the attention of the Cityzens and in September 2020, they paid an initial £61m to bring him to the Etihad.
Many felt that it would take time for the Portuguese international to adapt to the Premier League but he took to life in English football like a duck to water, winning the FWA Footballer of the Year, Premier League Player of the Season and the club’s player of the season within his first 12 months at the club.
Over the next four years, Dias would help Guardiola’s team establish a formidable era of dominance, having won the Premier League title in every single season he has been at the club (until 2025).
Dias’s achievements with City
- He has won 10 major honours during his time at the club, including four Premier League titles, one FA Cup, one Carabao Cup, one Community Shield, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.
- Dias has been named in the PFA Team of the Year on two occasions (2020/21 and 2022/23).
- He won the Football Writers Association Footballer of the Year in 2020, becoming the first defender in nearly 30 years to claim the award.
- Dias has won the Champions League Defender of the Season (2020/21) and he has been named in the Champions League Team of the Season on two occasions (2020/21 and 2022/23).
- He has also been named in FIFA’s Best XI for the year 2024.
Find out who is in Manchester City’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here
