Rúben Dias: Biography, Net Worth, Career, And Transfer History

If you follow football — even casually — you’ve probably heard commentators gush about Rúben Dias. And if you’ve ever watched Manchester City play in the last few seasons, chances are you’ve noticed the tall, calm guy at the heart of their defense who always seems to be in the right place at the right time. Yep, that’s Dias — Pep Guardiola’s defensive general.

But Rúben’s rise to becoming one of the world’s best defenders wasn’t an overnight thing. It’s a story of hard work, discipline, and seizing opportunities at the right time.
Let’s walk through his journey — from childhood in Portugal to lifting trophies in England — while also peeking into his transfer deals, earnings, and future prospects.

Early Days: From Striker to Defender

Rúben dos Santos Gato Alves Dias was born on May 14, 1997, in Amadora, a city just outside Lisbon. Growing up, football was life for young Rúben. Like many kids, he started playing the game in the streets and local pitches, dreaming of becoming a professional.

Here’s the interesting bit — Dias didn’t always play as a defender. In his earliest days at a small club called Estrela da Amadora, he was actually a striker. Yes, you read that right. He wanted to score goals, not stop them. But fate had other plans.

One day, during a youth match, his coach decided to try him at the back. And boom — it was like finding the missing puzzle piece. His tackling, reading of the game, and natural leadership made him stand out instantly. From that day, there was no going back.

Benfica Youth Academy: The Learning Ground

At age 11, Dias joined the famous Benfica academy. This is where the real polishing happened. Benfica is known for producing some of Portugal’s best talents, and Rúben quickly proved he belonged there.

Fun fact — even at the academy, he was a talker on the pitch. He’d shout instructions to his teammates, organize the defense, and never shy away from responsibility. Coaches loved that about him.
From U15 to U19, he climbed the ranks, eventually breaking into Benfica B in 2015.

Breaking Into Benfica’s First Team

By 2017, Dias was ready for the big stage. He made his debut for Benfica’s senior team that year and wasted no time proving he was the real deal. In his debut season, he didn’t just defend — he led.

In 2018–19, he helped Benfica win the Primeira Liga title and later the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira. His performances earned him the Primeira Liga Young Player of the Year award. Imagine — in your early 20s and already being named one of the best in the whole league!

During his Benfica years (2017–2020), he played 91 league matches and scored 9 goals. That’s pretty impressive for a defender.

The Portugal Call-Up

Dias’s rise in club football naturally caught the eye of the national team coaches. He had already represented Portugal at every youth level — U16, U17, U19, U20, and U21 — before getting his senior call-up in 2018.

One of his proudest moments came in 2019, when Portugal won the inaugural UEFA Nations League. In the final against the Netherlands, Dias was named Man of the Match. That’s not an easy feat when you’re up against world-class strikers.

Fast-forward to 2025, and he’s won two Nations League titles (2019 and 2025) and played in multiple major tournaments including the World Cup and European Championship.

The Big Move to Manchester City

Now here’s where the story takes an exciting turn. In September 2020, Manchester City signed Rúben Dias from Benfica for a reported €68 million (around £61 million at the time). It wasn’t just any transfer — it was one of the biggest fees ever paid for a Portuguese player leaving the domestic league.

Pep Guardiola needed a strong, commanding centre-back to stabilize his defense, and Dias fit the bill perfectly. The deal also involved Nicolás Otamendi going the other way to Benfica.

Life in the Premier League

When Dias arrived at City, the team was already strong in attack but inconsistent in defense. Within months, that changed. His presence brought calmness and structure to the backline.

Here’s what he achieved almost immediately:

• 2020–21: Won the Premier League and EFL Cup; reached the Champions League final.

• Won Premier League Player of the Season and FWA Footballer of the Year — awards rarely given to defenders.

• Became Manchester City Player of the Year in his first season.

• 2022–23: Played a huge role in City’s historic treble — Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League.

• Added more trophies like the UEFA Super Cup to his collection.

It’s rare for a player to make such a big impact so quickly, but Dias did it through a mix of leadership, consistency, and sheer football intelligence.

Playing Style: What Makes Him Special

Watching Dias play is like watching a chess master — he always seems to be two moves ahead.
Here are some of his standout qualities:

• Positioning: He’s always in the right place to block, intercept, or clear the ball.

• Leadership: Even as a newcomer, he wasn’t afraid to shout instructions to senior players.

• Ball-playing ability: Under Guardiola, defenders need to be comfortable on the ball. Dias can start attacks from the back like a midfielder.

• Tackling & aerial dominance: Few strikers win physical duels against him.

Pep Guardiola even made him part of City’s leadership group — proof of the trust he’s earned.

Transfer History Recap

Here’s a quick look at his football journey in transfer terms:

Net Worth & Earnings in 2025

When you play at the highest level, trophies aren’t the only rewards — the bank balance also looks good.

• Net worth: Estimated between €40 million – £42.5 million (about $50–55 million).

• Weekly salary: Between £160,000 – £220,000, depending on the source.

• Annual earnings: Around £9–11.5 million from salary alone.

• Endorsements: Deals with Nike, Beats by Dre, and other lifestyle brands.

For a player still only in his late 20s, that’s an impressive financial portfolio.

Trophies & Awards So Far

With Benfica:

• Primeira Liga (2018–19)

• Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira (2019)

With Manchester City:

• Premier League (2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24)

• FA Cup (2022–23)

• EFL Cup (2020–21)

• UEFA Champions League (2022–23)

• UEFA Super Cup (2023)

• FIFA Club World Cup (2023)

With Portugal:

• UEFA Nations League (2019, 2025)

Individual:

• Primeira Liga Young Player of the Year (2018)

• Premier League Player of the Season (2020–21)

• FWA Footballer of the Year (2020–21)

• UEFA Champions League Defender of the Season (2020–21)

What’s Next for Rúben Dias?

Dias is still under contract with Manchester City until 2027, and there’s no sign he’s slowing down. At 28, he’s in his prime years as a defender, and City will likely keep building their defense around him.

For Portugal, he remains a key part of their plans for the 2026 World Cup and future Euros. His leadership qualities mean he could even captain the national team full-time someday.

Final Thoughts

From the streets of Amadora to lifting the Champions League trophy, Rúben Dias’s journey is a football dream come true. What makes it even more inspiring is how he’s achieved success not just through talent, but also through dedication, discipline, and the ability to adapt.

He’s proof that defenders can be superstars too — not just the flashy attackers. And as he continues to win trophies with City and Portugal, his legacy as one of the best centre-backs of his generation is already looking secure.