Serie: Topps Match Attax 2024/2025
Type: Basic
Number: 12
Rúben dos Santos Gato Alves Dias (born 14 May 1997) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Premier League club Manchester City and the Portugal national team. Known for his aggressive style of play and leadership qualities, he is regarded as one of the best defenders in the world.
Dias came through Benfica’s youth academy, beginning with Benfica B in 2015 and promoting to the first team in 2017. He was named the Primeira Liga’s Young Player of the Year. In the 2018–19 season, he won the league title with Benfica and later the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira during the 2019–20 season, earning a spot in the Primeira Liga’s Team of the Year. Over this period, he made over 100 appearances for Benfica. In September 2020, Dias signed for Manchester City for a reported fee of €68 million, becoming the second-highest fee for a Portuguese player leaving the domestic league. In his first season with Manchester City, he won the league title and EFL Cup, reached the UEFA Champions League final, and was named FWA Footballer of the Year, Manchester City Player of the Year, Premier League Player of the Season, and UEFA Champions League Defender of the Season. In the 2022–23 season, he played a crucial role in securing City’s first-ever continental treble.
Dias has represented Portugal at various youth levels, including under-16, under-17, under-19, under-20, and under-21. He made his senior international debut in 2018 and has been part of Portugal’s squads for two FIFA World Cups (2018 and 2022) and two UEFA European Championships (2020 and 2024). He also won the 2019 UEFA Nations League Finals on home soil, being named in the team of the tournament and man of the match in the final.
Born in Amadora, Lisbon District, Dias grew up idolizing defenders like John Terry, Nemanja Vidić, Rio Ferdinand, and Vincent Kompany. His older brother, Ivan, is also a professional football player who nicknamed him “Ruby.” Growing up, Dias played football wherever he could, whether on the streets or in his house with his brother Ivan. He began his youth career with Estrela da Amadora before moving to Benfica’s youth academy in 2008.
Personal information:
- Full name: Rúben dos Santos Gato Alves Dias
- Date of birth: 14 May 1997 (age 27)
- Place of birth: Amadora, Portugal
- Height: 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
- Position(s): Centre-back
- Current team: Manchester City
- Number: 3
Youth career:
- 2006–2008: Estrela da Amadora
- 2008–2015: Benfica
Senior career:
- 2015–2017: Benfica B (55 apps, 0 gls)
- 2017–2020: Benfica (91 apps, 9 gls)
- 2020–: Manchester City (132 apps, 3 gls)
International career:
- 2013: Portugal U16 (5 apps, 1 gl)
- 2013–2014: Portugal U17 (18 apps, 0 gls)
- 2014–2016: Portugal U19 (21 apps, 2 gls)
- 2016–2017: Portugal U20 (15 apps, 0 gls)
- 2017: Portugal U21 (4 apps, 0 gls)
- 2018–: Portugal (64 apps, 3 gls)
Medal record:
- Representing Portugal: UEFA Nations League Winner (2019)
