{"id":244033,"first_name":"Rúben","last_name":"dos Santos Gato Alves Dias","short_name":"Rúben Dias","common_name":"Rúben Dias","place_of_birth":"Amadora","gender":"male","height":187,"weight":83,"status":"active","createdAt":"2024-11-06T09:11:07.757Z","updatedAt":"2025-03-17T12:05:11.492Z","locale":"en","age":27,"stb_id":"ruben-dias","description":null,"tier":null,"common_name_en":"Rúben Dias","top_position":null,"introduction":"Rúben dos Santos Gato Alves Dias, born on 14 May 1997, is a celebrated Portuguese footballer who plays as a centre-back for Premier League club Manchester City and the Portugal national team. Renowned for his aggressive playing style and leadership qualities, Dias is considered one of the top defenders globally. His remarkable career includes multiple league titles, individual accolades, and a significant role in Manchester City's historic continental treble.","early_life_and_career":"## Early Years\nRúben Dias was born in Amadora, Lisbon District, and grew up with his older brother, Ivan, who is also a professional footballer. Nicknamed 'Ruby,' Dias was inspired by his idols, John Terry, Nemanja Vidić, Rio Ferdinand, and Vincent Kompany, cultivating a dream to play in the Premier League. His early years were spent playing football wherever possible, whether on the streets or at home with his brother.\n\n## Youth Career\nDias began his football journey at the local club Estrela da Amadora, initially playing as a striker before transitioning to defense. In 2008, he joined Benfica's youth academy, where he shifted from midfielder to centre-back, developing his skills until 2015. He made his professional debut on 30 September 2015 for Benfica B in a LigaPro match. His performances helped the B team achieve their highest-ever fourth-place finish in the second division and led the junior team to the UEFA Youth League final in 2016–17.","professional_career_and_highlights":"## Club Career\n### Benfica B\nDias commenced his senior career with Benfica B, impressing enough to be quickly promoted to the first team. His debut for Benfica came on 16 September 2017 against Boavista in the Primeira Liga. Despite early setbacks like appendicitis, Dias solidified his place and was awarded Primeira Liga's Best Young Player of the Year during his first full season. He extended his contract amidst transfer speculations and played a pivotal role in helping Benfica secure the league title in the 2018–19 season.\n\n### Benfica\nBy the 2019–20 season, Dias had already made over 100 appearances for Benfica, achieving personal and team milestones such as his 100th game and scoring in his potential last match for the club in 2020.\n\n### Manchester City\nDias joined Manchester City in September 2020 for €68 million. His debut season was impactful as he won the Premier League and EFL Cup, reached the UEFA Champions League final, and received multiple individual honors including FWA Footballer of the Year and Premier League Player of the Season. He further contributed to City's consecutive league titles and the first-ever continental treble in the 2022–23 season.\n\n## National Team Career\n### Youth National Teams\nDias represented Portugal at various youth levels, captaining teams and participating in major tournaments like the UEFA European Under-19 Championship and the U-20 World Cup, showcasing leadership and skill.\n\n### Senior National Team\nDias made his senior debut in May 2018 and was part of Portugal's squads for two FIFA World Cups and UEFA European Championships. A highlight of his international career is winning the 2019 UEFA Nations League on home soil, where he was man of the match in the final. Dias marked his presence in Portugal's defensive lineup, contributing key performances in significant matches.","playing_style_and_skills":"## Player Characteristics\nDias is a right-footed centre-back known for his physical strength and leadership on the field. Preferring the left-side position in central defense, he excels in passing with both feet, enabling him to dictate play from the back. His aerial dominance and ability to anticipate opponents' actions make him a formidable defender.\n\n## Performance Statistics\nAcross his career, Dias has made notable appearances in club and international football, consistently contributing defensively and sometimes offensively, such as goal-scoring.\n\n## Records\nDias has set personal and team records, including being the first defender since 1988–89 to win the FWA Footballer of the Year. His contributions have been critical in Manchester City's historic successes.","notable_achievements":"## Achievements\n### Team Achievements\n- Primeira Liga: 2018–19 with Benfica\n- Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2019 with Benfica\n- Premier League: 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24 with Manchester City\n- FA Cup: 2022–23\n- EFL Cup: 2020–21\n- UEFA Champions League: 2022–23\n\n### Individual Achievements\n- Primeira Liga Best Young Player of the Year: 2017–18\n- FWA Footballer of the Year: 2020–21\n- UEFA Champions League Defender of the Season: 2020–21\n- Manchester City Player of the Year: 2020–21\n\n## Awards and Recognition\nReceived multiple accolades for his performances, including spots in PFA Team of the Year and FIFA FIFPRO World 11, highlighting his impact on both club and international stages.","impact_on_sport":"## Career Overview\nRúben Dias's career trajectory from a youth talent in Portugal to becoming a defensive stalwart at one of the world's top clubs underscores his impact on the sport. His leadership on and off the field exemplifies the modern center-back.\n\n## Off the Field\nWhile the article lacks extensive details on his off-field activities, Dias's public image is shaped by his professional conduct and contributions to team success.\n\n## Personal Life\nDias has maintained a relatively private personal life, known for his past relationship with Portuguese singer April Ivy. His professional journey reflects his dedication and passion for football, inspired by early football icons.","stb_internal_id":"019300bd-edf0-773f-8f24-b0cd3946b73a","overrides":null,"type_code":"defender","position_type_code":"defender","detailed_position_type_code":"centre-back","roles":"player","has_biography":true,"has_membership_relations":true,"has_matches":null,"has_article_relations":null,"has_social_media_relations":null,"introduction_html":"

Rúben dos Santos Gato Alves Dias, born on 14 May 1997, is a celebrated Portuguese footballer who plays as a centre-back for Premier League club Manchester City and the Portugal national team. Renowned for his aggressive playing style and leadership qualities, Dias is considered one of the top defenders globally. His remarkable career includes multiple league titles, individual accolades, and a significant role in Manchester City's historic continental treble.

\n","early_life_and_career_html":"

Early Years

Rúben Dias was born in Amadora, Lisbon District, and grew up with his older brother, Ivan, who is also a professional footballer. Nicknamed 'Ruby,' Dias was inspired by his idols, John Terry, Nemanja Vidić, Rio Ferdinand, and Vincent Kompany, cultivating a dream to play in the Premier League. His early years were spent playing football wherever possible, whether on the streets or at home with his brother.

Youth Career

Dias began his football journey at the local club Estrela da Amadora, initially playing as a striker before transitioning to defense. In 2008, he joined Benfica's youth academy, where he shifted from midfielder to centre-back, developing his skills until 2015. He made his professional debut on 30 September 2015 for Benfica B in a LigaPro match. His performances helped the B team achieve their highest-ever fourth-place finish in the second division and led the junior team to the UEFA Youth League final in 2016–17.

\n","professional_career_and_highlights_html":"

Club Career

Benfica B

Dias commenced his senior career with Benfica B, impressing enough to be quickly promoted to the first team. His debut for Benfica came on 16 September 2017 against Boavista in the Primeira Liga. Despite early setbacks like appendicitis, Dias solidified his place and was awarded Primeira Liga's Best Young Player of the Year during his first full season. He extended his contract amidst transfer speculations and played a pivotal role in helping Benfica secure the league title in the 2018–19 season.

Benfica

By the 2019–20 season, Dias had already made over 100 appearances for Benfica, achieving personal and team milestones such as his 100th game and scoring in his potential last match for the club in 2020.

Manchester City

Dias joined Manchester City in September 2020 for €68 million. His debut season was impactful as he won the Premier League and EFL Cup, reached the UEFA Champions League final, and received multiple individual honors including FWA Footballer of the Year and Premier League Player of the Season. He further contributed to City's consecutive league titles and the first-ever continental treble in the 2022–23 season.

National Team Career

Youth National Teams

Dias represented Portugal at various youth levels, captaining teams and participating in major tournaments like the UEFA European Under-19 Championship and the U-20 World Cup, showcasing leadership and skill.

Senior National Team

Dias made his senior debut in May 2018 and was part of Portugal's squads for two FIFA World Cups and UEFA European Championships. A highlight of his international career is winning the 2019 UEFA Nations League on home soil, where he was man of the match in the final. Dias marked his presence in Portugal's defensive lineup, contributing key performances in significant matches.

\n","playing_style_and_skills_html":"

Player Characteristics

Dias is a right-footed centre-back known for his physical strength and leadership on the field. Preferring the left-side position in central defense, he excels in passing with both feet, enabling him to dictate play from the back. His aerial dominance and ability to anticipate opponents' actions make him a formidable defender.

Performance Statistics

Across his career, Dias has made notable appearances in club and international football, consistently contributing defensively and sometimes offensively, such as goal-scoring.

Records

Dias has set personal and team records, including being the first defender since 1988–89 to win the FWA Footballer of the Year. His contributions have been critical in Manchester City's historic successes.

\n","notable_achievements_html":"

Achievements

Team Achievements

Primeira Liga: 2018–19 with Benfica
Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2019 with Benfica
Premier League: 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24 with Manchester City
FA Cup: 2022–23
EFL Cup: 2020–21
UEFA Champions League: 2022–23

Individual Achievements

Primeira Liga Best Young Player of the Year: 2017–18
FWA Footballer of the Year: 2020–21
UEFA Champions League Defender of the Season: 2020–21
Manchester City Player of the Year: 2020–21

Awards and Recognition

Received multiple accolades for his performances, including spots in PFA Team of the Year and FIFA FIFPRO World 11, highlighting his impact on both club and international stages.

\n","impact_on_sport_html":"

Career Overview

Rúben Dias's career trajectory from a youth talent in Portugal to becoming a defensive stalwart at one of the world's top clubs underscores his impact on the sport. His leadership on and off the field exemplifies the modern center-back.

Off the Field

While the article lacks extensive details on his off-field activities, Dias's public image is shaped by his professional conduct and contributions to team success.

Personal Life

Dias has maintained a relatively private personal life, known for his past relationship with Portuguese singer April Ivy. His professional journey reflects his dedication and passion for football, inspired by early football icons.

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Rúben Dias: Career