THERE was something quite fitting about Manchester City breaking their club record to sign Ruben Dias.
For the £64.5million centre-back charged with plugging Pep Guardiola’s leaking defence has been smashing things since he first kicked a football.
Ruben Dias has been charged with fixing City’s leaking defenceCredit: AFP
Back then, though, it was more about crockery than cups… unless they also happened to be in the firing line for a young Ruben and older brother Ivan.
As youngsters growing up in Amadora, on the outskirts of Lisbon, they were booting a ball around in the park with father Joao almost as soon as they could walk.
Yet even when they were back in the family flat, the two football-mad kids would carry on their game.
And that regularly landed them in hot water with mother Bernadette, as a stray shot turned the family kitchen into a war zone.
So any ear-bashings Ruben may get off his new gaffer Pep will pale into insignificance compared to his mum.
Bernadette joked: “The first time Ruben and Ivan used to kick a ball around was at home and their first stadium was the corridor in the flat.
“There was a bedroom at one end and the kitchen at the other, with the doors to both as goalposts. You can imagine a few balls were flying into the kitchen and quite a few things were broken, while you’d hear one of them yelling, ‘Gooolooo!’
“It was madness but I also had to smile because I knew they were having fun — and that’s what you want for your children.
For the young Dias, the corridor was a good football pitch
“And while football was the main thing, it was also swimming and then karate, which gave them both self-confidence and taught them how to become a leader.”
Ruben, 23, has carried that into his footballing career, coming through the ranks at Benfica and earning a reputation as Portugal’s finest centre-back in years.
Brother Ivan, also a central defender and two years the senior, is in his first season with Oriental in the Portuguese second tier.
But it was the younger Dias who had something special, even when they were first booting a ball around with their dad in the park.
Even if it was pouring with rain he’d always be saying, ‘Let’s just play a bit more’
Ruben Dias’ father
Joao said: “When they were little I spent a lot of time playing football with them, but it didn’t take long before both were stronger than me. That meant I had to think of different things to improve their skills.
“Ruben always had the drive to play football. Even if it was pouring with rain he’d always be saying, ‘Let’s just play a bit more’. He had such a strong character.
“I was delighted when he played for Benfica because that is the club I have always supported since I was a kid.
“He has always been so determined to give his best at everything, and that’s what has got him where he is today.”
Dias joined Man City for £64.5m last monthCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Man City complete £64m Ruben Dias transfer
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
