Rúben Dias: the U-20 centre-back with more rhythm in Europe

Rúben Dias, Benfica's centre-back, shows on the pitch why he was launched by the coach Rui Vitória. An analysis of the Top 10 Leagues in Europe shows that no U-20 centre-back has more rhythm: he has already 11 matches in a row as a starter in the Championship. 

The number 66 has been playing in the defense since the match against Sporting and was in that streak of matches that he scored the three goals he has in the Liga NOS, all scored at Luz (Rio Ave, Boavista and Desportivo das Aves). Overall, Rúben Dias has 16 matches played, and 1431 minutes in the Portuguese league, in his debut season.

In the European top 10 (England, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Russia, Portugal, Ukraine, Belgium, and Turkey) only the U-21 Spanish centre-back from Köln, Jorge Meré, is in a similar streak: 11 matches as a starter in the Bundesliga. Even so, in a global evaluation, the benfiquista has more matches played, more goals and more minutes than his more direct opponent.

The youngster nurtured at Caixa Futebol Campus, made the pre-season with the first team and has quickly joined the group led by Rui Vitória. He made his debut at Bessa. He featured in the starting XI, he played 90’ and only the result was not the desired one. Nevertheless, the coach liked what he saw and he was once again in the starting XI in the next round, at Estádio da Luz, against P. Ferreira.

Little by little, using his leadership spirit– he was the captain at Benfica B – and his strong personality, he established himself in the center of the Four-time champions' defense with good performance that earned him praises, and he even played in the Champions League against Manchester United.

Mystic passed on from an early age

Born in 1997, Rúben Dias arrived at Benfica in the 2008/09 season, at the age of 11, and never left the club. He went through all categories (National and District), he won titles and was present in the U-19 team that reached the UEFA Youth League final in 2016/17.

A true Benfiquista, he passes on the mystic of the Club on the pitch, giving his best in every play of every match

RANKING OF THE CURRENT STREAK AS A STARTER OF THE U-20 CENTRE-BACKS IN THE TOP 10 LEAGUES IN EUROPE

Text: Marco Rebelo

Pics: Archive / SL Benfica