Yerry Mina
Who was Yerry Mina?
Center-back who plays for Everton and Colombia's national team, known for his aerial ability and leadership in defense.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Yerry Mina (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Yerry Fernando Mina González was born on September 23, 1994, in Guachené, Colombia. He's known as one of Colombia's top center-backs, recognized for his strong aerial skills and leadership on the field. Mina started his professional career with Deportivo Pasto before a key move to Independiente Santa Fe in 2014, where he quickly showed his potential by helping the club win several major titles.
At Santa Fe, Mina shone as he played a crucial role in the team's victory in the Categoría Primera A in 2014, followed by wins in the 2015 Superliga Colombiana and the 2015 Copa Sudamericana. His performances in the Copa Sudamericana stood out, earning him the titles of Young Player of the Year and a spot in the Tournament Team of the Year. This caught international attention and led to his move to Brazilian football.
In 2016, Mina transferred to Palmeiras, where he continued to rise in South American football. His time in Brazil was very successful, as he helped Palmeiras win the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A in 2016 and became one of the continent's top defenders. He was named Best Centre Back in Brazil and was selected for several prestigious teams of the year, including the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Team of the Year, the South American Team of the Year, and the Campeonato Paulista Team of the Year in 2017.
Mina's success in Brazil led to a high-profile transfer to Barcelona in 2018, where he added La Liga and Copa del Rey titles to his collection during the 2017-18 season. However, wanting more playing time, he moved to Everton in the Premier League later that year, where he spent five seasons as a key defensive player. He later moved to Serie A, with a brief stint at Fiorentina in 2023, before settling at Cagliari in 2024.
Internationally, Mina has been an important player for Colombia since his senior debut in 2016. He has earned over 50 caps and made history at the 2018 FIFA World Cup with his set-piece goals, sharing the record for most goals by a defender in a single World Cup. His performances earned him a spot in the FIFA World Cup Fantasy Team, and he continued to be a vital player for Colombia in Copa América tournaments in 2016, 2019, and 2024, with the team reaching the final in 2024 in the United States.
Before Fame
Growing up in Guachené, a small town in Colombia's Cauca department, Mina honed his football skills during a time when Colombian football was making a mark internationally. He started his career with local clubs before joining Deportivo Pasto's youth team, where his physical traits and defensive skills were first noticed and nurtured.
In Colombia during the 2010s, young players had to show exceptional talent to break into established clubs. Mina's height, aerial skills, and ability with the ball made him a promising player for Colombian Primera A clubs, who were looking to update their defensive style while keeping the traditional South American focus on technical skills.
Key Achievements
- Copa Sudamericana winner and Young Player of the Year (2015)
- Campeonato Brasileiro Série A champion with Palmeiras (2016)
- La Liga and Copa del Rey winner with Barcelona (2017-18)
- FIFA World Cup Fantasy Team selection (2018)
- Over 50 international caps for Colombia national team
Did You Know?
- 01.He shares the record for most goals scored by a defender in a single FIFA World Cup tournament
- 02.Was voted Best Centre Back in Brazil during his time with Palmeiras in 2016
- 03.Scored crucial goals from set pieces that helped Colombia reach the round of 16 at the 2018 World Cup
- 04.Won the Copa Sudamericana Young Player of the Year award in 2015 while playing for Independiente Santa Fe
- 05.Made over 140 appearances for Everton during his five-season tenure in the Premier League