Ruben Amorim and Diogo Dalot: distant relatives through a shared ancestor
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim and defender Diogo Dalot share more than a nationality — the pair are actually distant relatives, linked through a 19th-century ancestor, according to newly uncovered genealogical records, reports BritPanorama.
The Portuguese heritage website Geneall has revealed that both men are great-great-grandsons of Carlos Dallot, a French-born circus artist who toured Europe before settling in Portugal.
United sources have confirmed the connection between the two, describing it as a “distant but genuine family link.” Born in France in the mid-1800s, Carlos Dallot performed across the continent alongside his siblings, José and Júlia, before the family eventually made their home in northern Portugal.
They continued their work as circus entertainers after settling there — and it is from this line that both Amorim and Dalot descend. Diogo Dalot, now 26, has previously spoken about his surname’s French origins, explaining that his ancestors relocated permanently to Braga, the city where he was born.
The Portuguese international joined Porto’s academy at the age of nine before signing for Manchester United in 2018 for £19 million. Since Amorim’s appointment, Dalot has been a key figure in his system, starting 39 of the manager’s 54 matches to date.
The full-back has been deployed on both flanks this season, switching to the left wing at the start of United’s recent four-game unbeaten run. However, his performance at the City Ground last weekend drew criticism after he struggled for space during the 2–2 draw with Nottingham Forest. Amorim later defended the tactical setup but admitted that Dalot’s position limited his options.
“If you see Dalot, many times he has the ball with space to make the cross, but he’s a right-footer, he’s always inside without space,” Amorim explained. “The only alternative is Patrick [Dorgu]. When you have the ball, go to the side and cross — the space is there. Because if you want to come inside, Cunha is always there to receive the ball.”
Dalot has now made 219 appearances for Manchester United, scoring nine goals in eight seasons. His campaign has been disrupted by a muscle injury that kept him sidelined for three weeks, but he has since returned to feature in nine games so far this season.
Off the pitch, Dalot recently caught attention for responding to a United supporter’s viral challenge — the fan had vowed not to cut his hair until the team won five straight matches. Speaking to DAZN after a 2–1 victory at Liverpool, Dalot joked: “Let’s see… we hope that we can give him that haircut. But we have to go game by game. Obviously, we know this is a very difficult league.”
United are next in action against Tottenham on Saturday (12.30pm).
As the Premier League unfolds, it reminds us that family ties — however distant — can weave through the fabric of the sport, enriching its narrative with unexpected connections both on and off the pitch.
