Ruben Dias storms out of mixed zone in brutal interview after Portugal's World Cup exit
Ruben Dias stormed out of a bizarre mixed zone interview after Portugal crashed out of the World Cup with defeat against Spain on Monday.
Roberto Martinez's men were sent home from the tournament at the round of 16 after Mikel Merino popped up with a late winner for the European champions at the AT&T Stadium.
The Arsenal star slotted home in the 91st minute to put an end to Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup dreams in what would appear to be his final tournament and lead to the resignation of manager Martinez, who immediately announced his departure.
Portugal's 'Golden Generation' were slammed over a lack of creativity on the big stage but it was Manchester City defender Dias who was put in front of the media.
Advert
In a standard post-match procedure, Dias was brought into the mixed zone - an area where journalists ask questions to players.
Even in defeat, players are expected to give an honest reflection of the game. But Dias' media obligations were incredibly brief and he did not answer a single question.
A video shared from journalist Zach Lowy who was present showed Dias in his Portugal attire and in front of the microphone.
According to Lowy, there was a significant delay as the press officer searched to find a Portuguese journalist to ask the first question.
He did then find a reporter who began speaking to Dias, but the centre-back was visibly frustrated that Spain match-winner Merino was doing interview duties at the same time.
A genuinely bizarre mixed zone. Portugal’s press officer demands a Portuguese journalist to ask the 1st question.
— Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy) July 6, 2026
He finally finds one, but then Rúben Dias gets upset that Mikel Merino is speaking at the same time & leaves.
3 Spain players have spoken, 0 Portugal players. pic.twitter.com/DJwlzEdPbv
After aiming his arm in the air in the direction of Merino and giving the media officer a look of disgust, Dias quickly exited and did not return.
Ronaldo and Ruben Semedo did then speak to the press
Ruben Dias involved in tense discussion with Portugal legend after World Cup elimination
Though he did not speak to the media, Dias did sit down for a debrief with LiveMode TV, where he engaged in a tense and honest discussion with former Portugal star Ricardo Quaresma.
Quaresma, who won Euro 2016 with Portugal, did not hold back with his take on how badly the team underperformed.
“Everyone said this team was the best in Portugal’s history, but in what way? What have they won?" the former Chelsea and Inter Milan man stated.
“We’re going home with our heads down. In midfield, we have great players, a lot of talent, but they’ve been very, very weak in this World Cup. The attack was the same, and the defense was lost. It’s best if I stop here, otherwise I’ll say things I’ll regret later."
Given the quality of their squad and the fact they have multiple players in World Cup, Portugal's tactics were called into question.
But Dias launched a defence of Portugal's set-up, telling Quaresma: “You’ve been a player, you know what needs to be done with each player’s personality and mentality.
When we talk about ‘playing well’ it goes beyond virtuosity. It involves having the ball and not tiring yourself out chasing it, being efficient, patient. You have to find the balance."
Quaresma disagreed and said the team has "to play further forward" to get the most out of one-vs-one specialists Rafael Leao, Pedro Neto and Francisco Conceicao.
Dias then claimed that Portugal "played our best game against Spain since I’ve been here" but again Quaresma was having none of it as he said "everything has gone wrong from start to finish".
He said: "There hasn’t been a single match where you could say we played well or that we attacked a lot and were unlucky.
“Even today, they handed the game to Spain from beginning to end. Spain controlled the entire match, doing whatever they wanted. When they wanted to speed things up, they sped up, when they wanted to slow things down, they slowed them down, and we were simply there without any desire, without joy, very slow."
Dias and Quaresma did share a handshake before he departed. Portugal are widely reported to be appointing the experienced Jorge Jesus as Martinez's replacement.
Topics: Ruben Dias, Portugal
Josh Lawless