Benfica is a team building an academy (Benfica Ederson) capable of winning the Champions League. It is a pipe dream as their best talents will soon be sold for cheap. The latest to make that list is Rúben Dias. He will return to his native Portugal in this year’s Champions League final. Hoping to realize the ambitions of a club that chose him as a future captain as a teenager.

Chelsea is the team that will stand in the way of Dias and the other Portuguese players are João Cancelo, Bernardo Silva of the blue half of Manchester. Some thought his £63m move to England was a gamble but Dias has proven himself to be one of the best centre-backs in the world. With his team, he won the Premier League and Carabao Cup, not to mention the individual player of the year award.

 

 

 

Benfica signed Dias at the age of 11 after he impressed the coaches during a game against the club. Not his natural ability, but the leadership skills they thought could mold him into a great player. Dias is considered an average talent but his ability to communicate on the pitch has made him the “captain” of the club and the national team.

Dias progressed through the academy, was destined for a leadership role, becoming captain for club and country at a young age. His organizational skills were seen at Man City, where he helped turn a tangled defense into the best in England. An indication that his qualities are not based purely on technical ability.

It is predicted that he will join City’s group of most influential players next season. “He doesn’t need the armband to be captain. Everyone recognizes him as a leader on the pitch.” Dálcio, his former teammate at Benfica and the Portuguese team, Dálcio, said. “He is the captain for all the age groups at Benfica and he will certainly be the captain of Man City for the next few years. He is the captain of our national team even though he is younger than most of his teammates. There you saw him as a leader. He gets the best from everyone. “

Ruben Dias at Manchester City

At Man City, he impressed the coach ing staff with his dedication in the gym. This is to ensure he meets the physical rigors of the Premier League. He settled in quickly, thanks to the fact that Benfica and Man City have similar passing styles throughout their systems. This is one reason why Pep Guardiola likes young Benfica players. Dias has always predicted what it takes to reach the next level. The first time he played at Benfica was in the second division for the B team.

“Rúben Dias has worked with a number of coaches and we are all on the same page,” said Benfica B coach Nélson Veríssimo. “In addition to his qualities, he has a high concentration and is always very confident in his goals and the path he chooses until he reaches the first team. He made this journey, with the help of all the coaches. But above all thanks to his quality, competence and hard work. “

Dias knew he needed to perfect his skills in the B team. He realized that stepping up too early in the first team could be detrimental. So he maintains focus, learns from experienced professionals. “He had his chance,” said Veríssimo, “and as one would expect, thanks to his quality and focus, Rúben seized the moment when the opportunity came.”

Few people are tougher on Dias than himself. He made almost no mistakes at Man City. When he makes a mistake, he will think about how to correct the technique or learn from his own experience.

“It’s normal to make mistakes, Rúben knows this but he responds by making sure he never makes them again.” Dálcio said: “This is Rúben’s evolution, how he has become better as a defender, because he knows if he makes a mistake, the team will concede a goal. He didn’t make too many mistakes, that’s for sure. “

He is very careful when it comes to his diet and his Benfica teammates had to remind him that he has interests beyond football.

• Dálcio said: “He always makes strikers angry in training, because he treats every training session like a Champions League final. “Most players are careful with their teammates in training but his tackles are always like in a game. He’s serious because he knows that’s how you get to the top. Sometimes you have a good workout but Rúben doesn’t – he’s always working hard. If the training session lasts 10 minutes, he will do 20 minutes.”

If City win, Dias’ success will be celebrated not only in Porto but also in Lisbon.