Manchester City’s Dias wins FWA Footballer of the year

The Portuguese defender has had a resounding first season in the Premier League since signing for the champions.

Manchester City center-back Ruben Dias has been named the Football Writers’ Association (FWA) Footballer of the Year, breaking a 32-year old record.

Dias becomes only the second defender to land the prize since former Liverpool star Steve Nicol did so in 1989.

The 32-year old joined the Citizens in September 2020 from Portuguese side Benfica for a transfer fee of €62 million ($87m). Ever since then, Dias has been a menace at the back for the Blue outfit.

During his first season, he has helped City to a Premier League triumph, another carabao cup and the Champions League final.

He becomes only the third player after Gianfranco Zola and Jurgen Klinsmann to win the award during their first season in the competition.

“It’s a huge privilege. I’m very, very happy [but] I could not have done it without the success of the team. The defender said upon receiving the award.

“Everyone in the team deserves this award. Only by that was I – as a defender – able to be here to receive this prize.

“It means something special because normally, the ones who finish the plays are the ones getting the spotlight but me receiving this prize is a major example of our team and the way we work – the way we build our game.

“It reflects all the togetherness we have on the pitch, the spirit in the team and how we perform.
“With these players, for me to be receiving this award, it shows how we play like a family.

“[I’d like to thank] my team-mates, all the staff – Pep included obviously – the Club [and the many names responsible for bringing me here] but ultimately, all of my colleagues: the staff, the physios, the kitmen, the guys in the kitchen that bring a smile every day to the training ground and make us feel good and ready to be the best we can be.

“All of those details make a difference at the end.

“The most important thing is to have players who think like you and have the same mentality, knowing how important the team is and knowing: ‘If you fail, I will be there for you.’

“You see it a lot in our team. if someone makes a mistake, another will be there to save you, to have your back. That mentality is definitely one of the things that makes it work so well.

“If our Premier League victory and this award means something to me, I want to give a big part of that something to them. I would like to dedicate it to them and my family as well, who are always with me.”