Ruben Dias knows no other way than to play with 100% commitment and passion.
Every time he goes out onto the pitch, the Portugal international is a picture of focus, concentration, and determination.
Hamstring issues meant he missed almost a third of the season in total, but his total of 40 games in all competitions shows he made a telling contribution, nonetheless.
When your performance levels are so steady and reliable, it’s not always easy to pick out one game in particular, but a solid performance and a goal probably just edges it.
With that in mind, the 2-1 win away to Aston Villa saw our No.3 contribute hugely at both ends of the pitch.
His excellent 20-yard finish on 27 minutes put City 1-0 up at Villa Park, with compatriot Bernardo’s stunning volley doubling the lead just before the break.
The hosts were always going to rally at some stage and Ollie Watkins’ goal straight after the restart meant the second period was tricky to negate – particularly the closing moments of the game.
But Dias stood tall under some intense pressure – as all the City defenders did that evening – to ensure a 2-1 victory was secured and three points were banked.
A natural leader, Dias’ organisational skills are second to none and when a backs-to-the-wall performance is needed, you can count on him to stand tall, time and time again.
Putting his body on the line is par for the course for Ruben and any vital block he can make, he will – and did so many times in 2021/22.
What perhaps goes unnoticed is his ability to create goals for his team-mates – a total of five assists last season for a central defender makes for impressive reading.
But, of course, it’s helping keep out goals at the other end of the pitch that is his bread and butter job.
City’s defensive crisis towards the end of the campaign almost proved costly in the Premier League title race, despite the noble efforts of veteran skipper Fernandinho who was forced to drop into central defence while Dias, John Stones, Kyle Walker, and Nathan Ake all struggled with injury.
Aymeric Laporte soldiered through to the final whistle of the campaign, despite taking heavy knocks against Wolves and West Ham, but had Dias remained fit, the final day against Aston Villa might not have been quite as tense as it was!
A restful summer and a fully recharged Ruben Dias will be an ideal start to the 2022/23 campaign for City.
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40 Comments
We need a Rodri video!!!
Ruben is one of the most experienced defenders in the history of football 😯
Can't believe it's already been 2 years with him🙌💙👑
❤️❤️❤️ we need And mhrez
I love him so much especially his leadership.
It's That Block From Kovacic For Me…….🥶🥶🥶
One of the best CB’s in world football. Full stop, no debate
To be fair I had forgotten about some of these perfomances like they're from the previous season
Bring back the Stones x Dias dual please
Lord Maguire here
หัวใจในเกมรับของเรา⛵💙🔥
💪
Rubin diaz 💪👍❤️🇩🇿🇵🇹❤️
King Dias 💙
jkbj
He was injured most of this season and he still managed to carry us. This man is invincible
i always imagine ruben as steve roger 😂
Man like Ruben Dias I think as he gets older , he will probably be a better defender .
Best defender ever
True leader and a beast 💪 👏 🙌 💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙
True champions
Where’s the tackles ….
the destroyer
ルベンさん超大好き!
gila sih yang nge blok bayangin saudi mane itu keren
he speaks better english than harry kane
01:58 🥶
Great defender, good signing man city👍
dias
❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
なぜ彼とエデルソンが非難をうけるか分からない
I would love to see him at Real Madrid
This guy keep getting better and better since he came stronger physically always at the right place has a good thinking too
Top
Class
Barca fan here, but man, Ruben Dias is so underappreciated. People and media too busy memeing about Maguire they forgot how insase Dias is right now. He is without a doubt the best CB in the world atm. I hope Araujo catches up soon though. Lol
A beast 💥
He's a raging bull! What a signing he has been for City
1:58. Captain’s band still on his arm is the best 🔥🔥💙🤣
terribly overrated defender