Ruben Dias played a significant role in Claudio Echeverri’s loan move to Benfica, with the Portuguese club reportedly seeking his inside view before completing the deal.
Ruben Dias has been appointed Manchester City club captain after Bernardo Silva's summer exit.
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Echeverri’s departure saw the highly-rated young Argentine leave the Etihad Stadium in search of regular football, linking up with Benfica in a switch that has quickly begun to bear fruit. Now, it is becoming increasingly clear just how influential one of his former Manchester City team-mates was in helping to get the transfer over the line.
It had already emerged that Echeverri sought the counsel of Dias and Bernardo Silva about a move to Benfica before committing. As it turns out, the Portuguese giants were carrying out their own due diligence at the same time - and former Benfica player Dias proved the perfect man to ask.
Benfica Turned to Dias for Inside Track on Echeverri
According to A Bola, Benfica officials contacted Dias before pressing ahead with the signing, keen to gain an insider’s perspective on the young attacker. The report states that the defender’s answers helped to “validate” the deal.
Benfica are said to have quizzed Dias on Echeverri’s professionalism and how he trained at Manchester City, as well as how the Argentine had adapted to European football and integrated with his team-mates. There were questions about his technical qualities, too.
Manchester City have confirmed that attacking midfielder Claudio Echeverri will spend the 2026/27 season on loan at Portuguese giants Benfica, in a deal that includes an option to buy.cityxtra.co.ukMan City Confirm Claudio Echeverri Season-Long Loan to Benfica
Manchester City have confirmed that attacking midfielder Claudio Echeverri will spend the 2026/27 season on loan at Portuguese giants Benfica, in a deal that includes an option to buy.
Few would have been better placed to respond. Not only did Dias work alongside Echeverri for plenty of training and some competitive action at Manchester City, but he also boasts a deep connection to Benfica, having spent more than 12 years at the club before his move to Manchester in 2020. His glowing feedback gave the Portuguese side the confidence to complete the transfer.
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There was one specific query Benfica wanted addressed. Manager Marco Silva was searching for a midfielder capable of offering something different to Heorhiy Sudakov - more creativity and explosiveness, with Echeverri able to operate as a third midfielder or a second striker. Dias, the report says, provided the assurances required.
The early signs suggest his recommendation was spot on. Echeverri made his Benfica debut off the bench against Gil Vicente on Sunday, and immediately caught the eye of his new manager while registering an assist.
“It wasn’t much time, but I liked him a lot. He brought calmness, wasn’t afraid to take risks and ask for the ball,” Marco Silva said. “We needed this type of player in that position, very creative when getting into the box.”
It remains early days for Echeverri in Lisbon, but the first impression appears to align neatly with the character reference Dias provided. It is also a tidy reminder of the esteem in which the defender is held across Europe - and a classy gesture in helping a young former team-mate settle on the next step of his career.