Manchester City defender Ruben Dias is no stranger to the spotlight when it comes to the footballing world, known for his no-nonsense rock solid defending, he is a key part of Man City’s backline.
But when it comes to the world of entertainment and fashion, he might have found himself in a bit of unfamiliar territory.
The Portuguese star attended the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMA) and his outfit of choice became an instant talking point amongst fans of football and fashion around the world.
Held annually, the MTV EMAs celebrate the best in music from around the world, and this year’s event brought a star-studded lineup to Manchester’s Co-Op Live Arena. The Co-Op Live Arena is just a stone’s throw from Manchester City’s home stadium- the Etihad Stadium. If someone wanted to, they could walk the distance in almost under 5 minutes.
With the stadium and venue for the award ceremony being close to each other, it seemed natural to have City’s men’s team star Ruben Dias and women’s team captain Alex Greenwood represent the club, both co-presenting the award for Best New Artist.
Award shows like the MTV EMAs often double as fashion showcases, where attendees are expected to bring their A-game. Stylists get involved, fashion choices are meticulously planned, and outfits are curated to make a statement.
Dias certainly embraced this ethos, sporting a bold, layered look that consisted of a black shirt, black trousers, and what appeared to be a black suit jacket as his base layer.
Over this, he wore a dark gray trench coat, giving his outfit a sleek and unique look. However, it wasn’t the clothes that caught fans’ attention—it was the giant black fedora on his head that became the talk of the night.
The oversized fedora, which was noticeably large, struck a chord with viewers for being somewhat out of place, prompting a wave of humorous reactions on social media. Fans took to X to share their thoughts, with many joking about the hat’s sheer size. It looked like a prop ready to shield Dias from Manchester’s notoriously rainy weather.
He also looked as if he had come straight out of a 90’s movie playing the role of a Texas ranger or something along those lines.
It’s not uncommon to experiment with bold fashion choices, but pulling off eccentric looks takes more than just pairing stylish pieces together.
Players like Barcelona’s Jules Kounde have become known for their unique, risk-taking outfits, from skirts to avant-garde jackets, and seem to effortlessly own every look.
Unfortunately for Dias, the fedora didn’t seem to have the same effect. Rather than blending harmoniously with his outfit, it dominated the look, overshadowing what might have otherwise been a clean and polished ensemble.
While fashion risks sometimes pay off, Dias’ choice of headgear didn’t, but at least it got fans roasting him and having a laugh.
