Just over a year ago, Ruben Dias was confident that both he and Manchester City were through the storm. A man who is not afraid to air his strong beliefs wrote off the disappointing 2024/25 campaign as the price to be paid for such serial winning, and prepared for a return to the previous highs.
Team Recovery But Individual Struggles
Dias was broadly correct about the team, with the Champions League the only major disappointment in a season that yielded two cups and a Premier League title chase that went to the final week. City were not far off another historic season before Pep Guardiola said his emotional goodbye.
Could the same be said for Dias though? He was overplayed in the first half of the season, needed in the team for his leadership by Guardiola despite warnings over how much his body could take, and then broke down in January.
Injury Woes Continue
There was a brief return, but after being withdrawn with another issue in the second leg of the Champions League last-16 defeat to Real Madrid Dias didn't make it back onto the pitch. He returned to the squad for the final weeks of the season, yet was left on the bench for the last five matches.
A minor issue ruled him out of Portugal's opening game in the World Cup and while he could return for the second tonight against Uzbekistan, it is a summer where the 29-year-old has to plenty to prove. First and foremost, he needs to show that one bad season with injuries has not turned into two that leaves doubts over the next campaign; John Stones thought he had overcome his issues at City, only for them to return.
Decision Time at City
As part of Dias recognising how he can return to peak condition and stay there, he needs to decide on the best environment to do that. The no-nonsense defender has never really been bothered by location in as much as he prioritises the place where he can win the most but has plenty of thinking to do.
There is a big opportunity at City to lead the club into their next chapter with Enzo Maresca. Dias signed a new four-year deal in August 2025 despite not getting the captaincy but is now the natural candidate with Bernardo Silva gone.
Real Madrid Temptation
However, given last season didn't end up panning out as he expected Dias can be forgiven for pausing to consider change. With his best friend in football Silva moving to Real Madrid - a winning machine - under Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho, that could be a tempting offer if Real follow through their interest with a serious offer to City.
Whether or not Dias plays on Tuesday, featuring against Portugal will be Abdukodir Khusanov for Uzbekistan - who got more minutes for City last season. Later on, Marc Guehi will hope to feature for England against Ghana and then a few hours after that Josko Gvardiol will surely feature for Croatia.
The competition is there as well as the opportunity at City, so Dias must answer if he can get back to the top of the mountain - and if he wants to do that at the Etihad.
