Maya Jama's ex-boyfriend Rúben Dias breaks his silence on their split and insists he 'did not cheat' on the Love Island star after claims he sent late night Instagram requests to women

Maya Jama's ex-boyfriend Rúben Dias has broken his silence on their split and insisted he 'did not cheat' on the Love Island star in an Instagram statement on Friday.

The footballer has been accused of sending late night follow requests to a string of gorgeous influencers while still romantically involved with Maya. 

Rúben said Maya 'deserves all the respect in the world' as he denied ever cheating on the TV personality.

He wrote: 'I feel that when my 85-year-old grandad is asking me if I've cheated on my girlfriend because he's seen it repeatedly on the news, that's where I draw the line on what's acceptable and what's not. 

'Maya and I have always had a relationship built on mutual respect. No line was ever crossed in that regard.

'A lie told often enough can start to feel like the truth and for that reason I tell you that I didn't cheat, nor did I ever have the intention or temptation to. I believe Maya deserves all the respect in the world.

'The reasons why we broke up are private and belong to us and we've both dealt with it in a very mature way. I've always chosen to remain silent on these matters as my personal life is my business only. 

'But I also believe it's wrong to lie to people and to portray an opposite image of someone just for clickbait.

'Respect me, respect Maya, and understand that not always one has to betray the other in order for a relationship to end.'

The Portuguese centre-back, currently celebrating a domestic double with City after winning the League and FA Cup in manager Pep Guardiola's final season, has since been accused of 'toe-dipping' on social media before breaking off the romance.

The trend - a more subtle alternative to direct messaging - typically involves one social media user following another in the hope of gauging interest. If there is no reciprocation, they promptly unfollow and move on.

It's understood that Rúben used the technique in March - weeks before his relationship with Maya came to an end - after encountering attractive model and bridal designer Catarina Duraes online.

However, he unfollowed her little more than 24 hours later, when she failed to follow him back.

Months earlier, he employed the same tactic with Scottish brunette Claire in November 2025, although there is no suggestion the footballer was unfaithful while involved with Maya.

A source told The Sun: 'It might just seem like a simple follow online but it’s the intention behind it, following someone to see if they follow back and interact, and always doing it late at night – it’s seedy.

'It suggests he’s sat browsing Instagram and what happens if they do follow back or DM?'

Since his split, Rúben has reportedly briefly followed Aussie Love Island star Amelia Marni, who lives in London and has a boyfriend.

A gorgeous blonde TikTok influencer named Georgia received the same treatment, but there is no suggestion Rúben has met these women or interacted with them further.

According to The Sun, social media users have been tracking the footballer's toe-dipping, and claimed he tends to follow women, before unfollowing them the following day.

Following reports of their split, Maya and Rúben deleted any snaps of each other from their respective Instagram accounts.

Over the weekend, Maya was also silent on social media when he lifted the FA Cup with his City teammates, despite previously supporting him at matches.

Fans were quick to note the timing of the split, as Manchester City missed out on another Premier League title triumph to rivals Arsenal.

The Daily Mail has contacted Maya's representatives for comment.