Manchester City defender Ruben Dias has been accused of employing a social media tactic known as 'toe-dipping' to follow attractive influencers while still in a relationship with television presenter Maya Jama. The Portuguese centre-back ended his 18-month romance with the Love Island host in April, shortly before she began filming the second series of Celebrity Traitors in Scotland.
Dias, who recently celebrated a domestic double with City after winning the Premier League and FA Cup in manager Pep Guardiola's final season, is said to have used the technique in March—weeks before the split—after encountering model and bridal designer Catarina Duraes online. He followed her but unfollowed within 24 hours when she did not reciprocate.
The 'toe-dipping' trend involves following someone on social media to gauge interest, then unfollowing if there is no response. Months earlier, Dias allegedly used the same tactic with a Scottish brunette named Claire in November 2025. However, there is no suggestion of infidelity during his relationship with Maya.
A source told The Sun: 'It might just seem like a simple follow online but it’s the intention behind it. Following someone to see if they follow back and interact, and always doing it late at night – it’s seedy.' Since the split, Dias has reportedly briefly followed Australian Love Island star Amelia Marni, who lives in London and has a boyfriend, as well as a blonde TikTok influencer named Georgia. There is no indication that Dias has met or interacted further with these women.
Social media users have tracked the footballer's toe-dipping, noting a pattern of following women and unfollowing the next day. The Daily Mail has contacted Dias's representatives for comment. Following reports of their split, Maya and Dias deleted photos of each other from their Instagram accounts. Over the weekend, Maya remained silent on social media when Dias lifted the FA Cup, despite previously supporting him at matches.
The former couple began dating in December 2024 after meeting at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Manchester. The split is said to be amicable, with an insider stating: 'Maya is heading into an intense filming schedule and Ruben's focus is fully on the World Cup, so they've decided to part ways. There's no bad blood at all between them.'
