“You find out what you’re really made of in difficult moments,” said Ruben Dias in response to several searching questions after Portugal’s stalemate with Congo DR.
Recovering from injury, the centre-back had missed his side’s opening match, yet demonstrated his leadership role withing the squad, stepping forward to speak to the media in the days that followed.
Since Dias returned to the starting line-up in the 5-0 win over Uzbekistan, have not shipped a goal at the . In their final group fixture, a goalless draw with Colombia, he was once again among the standout performers.
One of the most dangerous moments came when Luis Diaz’s cross looked destined to be headed home by a perfectly placed Luis Suarez. Dias anticipated the danger brilliantly, glancing the ball away to prevent La Tricolor from taking the lead. It was a moment that combined technique, strength and concentration – the hallmarks that have defined the defender, according to Rui Vitoria, the coach who promoted him to Benfica’s first team in 2017.
“What stood out most when I first started working with Ruben was the level of concentration he already showed in every aspect of being a centre-back,” Vitoria told FIFA.
“Naturally, we could already see plenty of exceptional individual qualities: his passing ability, his strength in duels, his physical attributes and the way he read the game. None of those qualities impressed me in isolation, however. Above all, it was his determination to do everything to the highest standard.”
Now 29, the Manchester City defender is featuring at his third World Cup and is the most experienced centre-back in a squad that also includes relative youngsters Tomas Araujo (24), Goncalo Inacio (24) and Renato Veiga (22). It is no surprise that coach Roberto Martinez praised his influence even when he's not on the pitch and named Dias as one of the squad's six leaders alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Joao Cancelo and Ruben Neves.
“Ruben was also hugely important in the first game despite not even playing,” admitted Martinez. “We’ve got six vastly experienced captains in our ranks.”
Dias’ performances are a major source of optimism as Portugal prepare for the knockout stage. While the Seleção das Quinas reached the quarter-finals at the previous edition, they are aiming to go even further this time around. In their way stand Croatia who they will face in the Round of 32 on Thursday 2 July in Toronto.
“He’s such a complete player with incredible ability in all aspects of the game, yet he stands out because of the way he focuses on every detail,” stated Vitoria. “Many of those qualities are developed during a player’s formative years: positioning, timing, communication, spatial awareness and how to react in every situation. Ruben has always had an unwavering desire to learn and improve.
“That’s what impressed me most from the very beginning: not only what he achieved, but the discipline and concentration with which he approached every single task.”
Sources: FIFA Official
