Benfica manager Jorge Jesus aimed a not-so-subtle dig at former captain Ruben Dias and his new team after the defender sealed a big-money move to Manchester City, calling his buyers ‘a smaller club’.
Dias was announced as the latest defensive signing of the Pep Guardiola era on Tuesday, with the centre-back penning a six-year deal at the Etihad Stadium.
The 23-year-old’s move to Manchester has been offset by the departure of Nicolas Otamendi in the opposite direction, but the Cityzens have still forked out around £50m for the 19-cap international.
ＨＥＲＥ ＨＥ ＩＳ！ ?
Welcome Ruben Dias to City!
? #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5re pic.twitter.com/e1PXlBadvR
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 29, 2020
With the deal announced, Benfica published a video on their YouTube channel thanking their captain for his service and showing his final moments at the club in the changing room after the 2-0 victory over Moreirense – a game in which Dias scored the opener.
In the clip, straight-talking manager Jesus makes a farewell speech, and it’s fair to say he isn’t the biggest fan of Dias’ destination.
“Ruben is having a send off, not only for what the team has accomplished, but for he game [2-0 win over Moreirense] he’s played, too,” he started (per the Mail).
“He was the captain, scored a goal so everything was brilliant. His future looks brilliant too, we all believe that.
“The life of a footballer is a bit like this, you’re leaving a great club [Benfica], bigger than City, which is only smaller financially. And that’s what makes the difference, the rest with with you.”
Ouch.
Jesus laughs and Dias – eyes fixed firmly on the ground – does manage to crack a smile, so hopefully the comment was taken in good humour, although it’s unlikely to have gone down too well in the northwest of England.
Later in the video the former skipper delivers his own goodbye speech, and the emotions eventually become too much for the product of the Lisbon club’s academy as he breaks down in tears.
He said: “My biggest wish was to leave in the right moment, and I think we, all the people I work with, the people at home that support me, we managed that.
“I have always wanted to leave with a smile on my face, I have been here at Benfica for a long time. I have always – even though I love this club – wanted this moment to come and I am conquering that. I’ll take you all in my heart.”
Lovely stuff.
Let’