Oasis legend Noel Gallagher, a fervent Manchester City supporter, has recounted a bizarre and painful incident during the club’s dramatic 2021/22 Premier League title celebration: being headbutted by Ruben Dias’ father. The unexpected collision left Gallagher injured and missing the climax of one of City’s most memorable triumphs, as reported by The Mirror on September 15, 2026.
The 2021/22 season culminated in a nail-biting finish, with Manchester City securing the Premier League title by just one point over rivals Liverpool. City amassed 93 points, narrowly edging out Liverpool’s 92. The championship was decided on the final day, May 22, 2022, in a match that epitomised the drama of English football. Manchester City found themselves trailing Aston Villa 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium, while Liverpool were beating Wolves 3-1 in their simultaneous fixture. However, in a stunning six-minute surge, City scored three goals – a brace from Ilkay Gundogan and another from Rodri – to clinch a sensational 3-2 victory and the league title.
The chaotic celebration
Gallagher, a well-known figure among the City faithful, was present at the Etihad Stadium for the decisive match. He described the atmosphere as “absolute bedlam” when City’s third, title-winning goal hit the back of the net. Ruben Dias’ family was seated in a box just a couple of boxes away from Gallagher’s position.
Recalling the chaotic scenes to talkSPORT, Gallagher said: “So I’m jumping around like an idiot, passing my 11-year-old son around like the Premier League trophy, everyone is lifting him up and I turn around and Ruben Dias’ dad runs straight into me, headbutting me. I’m on the floor, covered in blood. I don’t see the last two minutes.”
The impact left Gallagher with significant injuries. He required stitches in his top lip and suffered two black eyes. He was attended to by the St John’s Ambulance team at the stadium, missing the final moments of the dramatic title decider.
Pep Guardiola’s concern
In the immediate aftermath of the triumph, Gallagher had a memorable encounter with then-emotional City manager Pep Guardiola.
“As I’m going down the corridor, Pep’s running up crying and we kind of hug each other and he says, ‘What’s up with your face?’ And I was like, ‘Go and be with your players, nothing to do with me,'” Gallagher recounted. Despite the injuries, Gallagher described Dias’ father as “a big bear of a man” and acknowledged the sheer euphoria that led to the accidental collision. He also reflected on the day, stating, “But as days go at The Etihad, that’s got to be up there with the best.”
Ruben Dias, a pivotal defender for Manchester City, has enjoyed immense success since joining the club. He has won four consecutive Premier League titles from 2021 to 2024, along with two FA Cup titles, the League Cup, the Club World Cup, and a Champions League trophy.
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