Manchester City agrees to renew contract with Rúben Dias, a pillar of Guardiola’s project
Portuguese defender remains key to Guardiola’s long-term vision at the Etihad
Manchester City have reached a verbal agreement with Rúben Dias to extend his contract, reaffirming the club’s trust in the Portuguese international, who has been a cornerstone of Pep Guardiola’s defensive setup since 2020.
Contract Renewal Confirmed by The Athletic
According to The Athletic, Dias, 28, is expected to sign the new deal before the start of the 2025/26 Premier League season. Although his current contract runs until 2027, the club pushed for an early extension to secure his long-term future.
- Current contract: Until 2027
- New deal: Verbal agreement reached (terms undisclosed)
From Benfica to Premier League Stardom
Signed from Benfica for £62 million in 2020, Rúben Dias has since played 222 games for Manchester City, scoring 4 goals and helping the team dominate both domestically and in Europe.
In his debut season, he was named:
- Premier League Player of the Season (2020/21)
- Integral part of City’s title-winning campaigns
Guardiola’s Defensive Leader
Pep Guardiola views Dias as irreplaceable. His leadership, tactical awareness, and consistency have made him a natural leader at the Etihad and a pillar of the team’s defensive structure.
With the arrival of Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Aït-Nouri, and Rayan Cherki, Guardiola is reshaping his squad for another title push. Rúben Dias’ experience and presence will be crucial as City target another Premier League and Champions League double.
Leadership for Club and Country
Beyond his club role, Dias is a leader for the Portuguese national team and is expected to take on a bigger role at City as well. The extension signals the club’s confidence in him as a long-term leader.
