PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Yerry Fernando Mina González |
| Date of Birth | 23 September 1994 (Age: 31) |
| Place of Birth | Guachené, Cauca, Colombia |
| Nationality | Colombian |
| Height | 1.95 m / 6 ft 5 in |
| Weight | 94–99 kg / 207–218 lbs |
| Position | Centre-Back |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #26 (Cagliari), #13 (Colombia) |
| Current Club | Cagliari Calcio |
| Previous Clubs | Deportivo Pasto, Independiente Santa Fe, Palmeiras, Barcelona, Everton, Fiorentina |
| International Caps | 55 |
| International Goals | 8 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2018, 2026 |
| Contract Until | 2028 |
| Market Value | — |
The Frozen Moment
The Spartak Stadium, Moscow. July 3, 2018. Colombia and England, locked in a World Cup Round of 16 clash that would push Los Cafeteros to the brink of elimination. For Yerry Mina, the 23-year-old centre-back from Guachené who had been a Barcelona player for just six months, this was the moment that would define his career.
Colombia were trailing 1-0. The 93rd minute. The last seconds of stoppage time. Juan Guillermo Cuadrado swung in a corner from the right. Mina rose above Harry Maguire—England’s tallest defender—and powered a header past Jordan Pickford. 1-1. The stadium erupted. It was his third goal in as many matches at the tournament.
The boy from the small town of Guachené who had once been put in goal as a child and conceded eight goals in his first match—”I cried a lot, but things haven’t turned out too badly for me,” he later recalled—had just scored one of the most dramatic goals in Colombian World Cup history.
Eight years later, on June 2026, Mina was named in Colombia’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup—his second appearance on the global stage. But this time, the experience was different. He played just one minute across the tournament, coming on as a late substitute against Switzerland in the Round of 32. He had lost his starting place under Néstor Lorenzo, as the coaching staff valued centre-backs with more mobility and build-up ability.
The boy from Guachené who had scored three World Cup goals in 2018 had become a squad player in 2026. But he remained a leader in the dressing room and a reference point for Colombian football.
Origins
Yerry Fernando Mina González was born on September 23, 1994, in Guachené, a small town in the Cauca department of southwestern Colombia. His footballing journey began in his hometown, where he was initially put in goal by his uncle, who coached the local team.
“He gave me a great deal of excitement, and even my father bought me gloves,” Mina recalled. “But I conceded eight goals in the first match, and they decided to take me off. I cried a lot, but things haven’t turned out too badly for me.”
The move from goalkeeper to centre-back proved inspired. His height—1.95 metres—and physical presence made him a natural fit in defence.
He made his professional debut with Deportivo Pasto in 2013, making 24 appearances and scoring once in the Colombian league. In December 2013, he joined Independiente Santa Fe on loan, where he would win the first trophies of his career.
The Forge
Independiente Santa Fe & Palmeiras (2014–2017):
Mina joined Independiente Santa Fe in December 2013 and quickly established himself as a first-choice centre-back. In the 2014 Torneo Finalización, he scored three goals in the finals and helped Santa Fe win the Colombian league title. In January 2015, he won the Superliga Colombiana. In December 2015, Santa Fe won the Copa Sudamericana, becoming the first Colombian club ever to win the competition.
In 2016, Mina transferred to Palmeiras in Brazil and won the Brasileirão title, opening the door to European football.
Barcelona & Everton (2018–2023):
In January 2018, Mina signed for FC Barcelona. He became the first Colombian to play for the club’s first team. He won La Liga in the 2017-18 season but played just 467 minutes in seven official matches.
In August 2018, he joined Everton, where he made 99 appearances across five seasons. His time in England was interrupted by injuries, but he remained a consistent presence when fit.
Cagliari & Fiorentina (2023–Present):
In 2023, Mina arrived in Italy, spending a brief period at Fiorentina marked by injuries. He then signed for Cagliari, where he has found his most consistent form. In the 2025-26 season, he made 26 Serie A appearances, playing 2,155 minutes, and scored 2 goals. He has been one of the team’s key defenders and has worn the captain’s armband.
International Career:
Mina made his senior debut for Colombia on June 8, 2016, in a Copa América Centenario match against Paraguay. He has earned 55 caps for Colombia, scoring 8 international goals.
At the 2018 World Cup, he scored three goals in three matches—against Poland, Senegal, and England—becoming the second-highest goalscorer for Colombia in World Cup history, behind James Rodríguez’s six goals. At the 2026 World Cup, he played one minute.
The Anatomy of His Game
Yerry Mina is a 31-year-old centre-back defined by his physical presence, aerial dominance, and goalscoring instinct. Standing at 1.95 metres, he is one of the tallest players in the Colombia squad.
In Possession:
Mina is a reliable passer with strong distribution. In the 2025-26 Serie A season, he completed 1,421 successful passes at an 86.7% success rate, ranking in the 66th percentile among defenders. His long pass accuracy is notable—120 long balls at a 60.9% accuracy rate, ranking in the 79th percentile. His progressive passing ranks in the 72nd percentile. He is not a creator—he had 0 assists in the 2025-26 season.
Out of Possession:
Defensively, Mina is a dominant presence. He averages 5.14 clearances per 90 minutes, ranking in the 92nd percentile, and 2.42 aerial duels won per 90, ranking in the 87th percentile. He blocks 0.96 shots per 90, ranking in the 96th percentile. His disciplinary record is notable—he received 5 yellow cards and 1 red card in 26 Serie A appearances.
Psychological Edge:
Mina’s mental resilience is his defining quality. His journey from small-town goalkeeper to World Cup goalscorer reflects a player who has consistently overcome obstacles. He has been a leader in the Colombia dressing room for years, and despite losing his starting place in 2026, he remained a reference point for the squad. His 2018 World Cup goals—three in three matches—demonstrate his ability to perform on the biggest stages.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serie A (Cagliari) | 26 | 2,155 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| Coppa Italia | 1 | 90 | 0 | 0 | — |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 (Colombia) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
TABLE B: Career (League)
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Deportivo Pasto | Categoría Primera A | 24 | 1 |
| 2014–2016 | Independiente Santa Fe | Categoría Primera A | 67 | 7 |
| 2016–2017 | Palmeiras | Brasileirão | 46 | 3 |
| 2017–18 | Barcelona | La Liga | 5 | 0 |
| 2018–2023 | Everton | Premier League | 86 | 7 |
| 2023–24 | Fiorentina | Serie A | 4 | 1 |
| 2024–25 | Cagliari | Serie A | 14 | 0 |
| 2025–26 | Cagliari | Serie A | 26 | 2 |
| TOTAL | — | — | ~272 | 21 |
TABLE C: International Record (2016–2026)
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Copa América | — | — |
| FIFA World Cup 2018 | 3 | 3 |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 1 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 55 | 8 |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Born | Guachené, Cauca, Colombia |
| 2013 | Professional Debut | Deportivo Pasto |
| 2014 | Liga Title | With Independiente Santa Fe |
| 2015 | Copa Sudamericana Winner | With Independiente Santa Fe |
| 2016 | Brazil Title | With Palmeiras |
| 2016 | Colombia Debut | vs Paraguay, Copa América |
| 2018 | Barcelona Move | La Liga winner |
| 2018 | World Cup Goalscorer | 3 goals in 3 matches |
| 2024 | Copa América Finalist | With Colombia |
| 2026 | World Cup Selection | Named in Colombia’s 26-man squad |
What these figures reveal is a player of significant international experience and a proven track record on the biggest stages. Mina has accumulated over 270 professional appearances by age 31 and has played for some of the world’s biggest clubs. His 55 international caps and 8 goals include three World Cup goals in 2018. His 2025-26 season at Cagliari was his most consistent in recent years. At 31, he remains a valuable defender at Serie A level.
The Present Tense
Yerry Mina is 31 years old, in the prime of his career. He is Cagliari’s centre-back, a Colombian international with 55 caps, and a two-time World Cup participant.
The Cagliari Story:
Mina joined Cagliari in 2024 and has become a key player and captain for the Sardinian club. In the 2025-26 season, he made 26 Serie A appearances, played 2,155 minutes, and scored 2 goals. He is under contract until 2028. Interest has emerged from Turkish giants Fenerbahçe, with Turkish media reporting that “contacts continue in a good way” for the Colombian defender.
The World Cup Campaign:
Mina was named in Colombia’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He played one minute in the tournament—against Switzerland in the Round of 32—which Colombia lost 4-3 on penalties. He had lost his starting place under Néstor Lorenzo but remained a leader in the squad.
International Record:
Mina has earned 55 caps for Colombia since his debut in 2016, scoring 8 international goals. He scored three goals at the 2018 World Cup.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Yerry Mina is defined by his journey from Guachené to the World Cup and his role as a leader in the Colombia dressing room. Born in a small town in Cauca, he played on the streets and was initially put in goal by his uncle. His failed goalkeeping debut—conceding eight goals—led to a position change that shaped his career.
Despite losing his starting place in the Colombia team, he has remained “a reference point within the squad.” Néstor Lorenzo has kept him in the squad due to his experience and leadership.
His 2018 World Cup heroics—three goals in three matches, including the dramatic equaliser against England in the 93rd minute—cemented his place in Colombian football history. He is the second-highest Colombian goalscorer in World Cup history, behind only James Rodríguez.
The Verdict from the Camp
Yerry Mina
, on his goalkeeping debut:
Mi tío, que era entrenador del equipo de mi pueblo, comenzó poniéndome de portero. Me hace mucha ilusión e incluso mi padre me compró unos guantes, pero encajé ocho goles en el primer partido y decidieron quitarme. Lloré mucho, pero no me ha ido mal…
AS Colombia
, on Mina’s World Cup role:
A lo largo de su carrera, Yerry Mina se ha destacado por su fortaleza física, su capacidad en el juego aéreo y su facilidad para marcar goles en momentos importantes.
ge
, on Mina’s reduced role at the World Cup:
Apesar de ser un hombre de confianza de Néstor Lorenzo, Mina perdió espacio como titular en los últimos años. La comisión técnica pasó a valorar zagueiros con más movilidad y capacidad de construcción en la salida de bola.
Where Next?
Yerry Mina is 31 years old and in the prime of his career. He is established at Cagliari, a Colombian international with 55 caps, and a two-time World Cup participant.
For Colombia
, Mina remains a key leader. Despite losing his starting place at the 2026 World Cup, his experience and leadership are invaluable. He will be expected to continue contributing to the national team in future tournaments, including the 2027 Copa América.
For Cagliari
, Mina is a key asset. He is under contract until 2028. Interest from Fenerbahçe has emerged, and a move to Turkey is possible. If he stays, he will be expected to continue as a key defender in Serie A.
His career trajectory is one of perseverance and consistency—from Deportivo Pasto to Barcelona, from the 2018 World Cup heroics to the 2026 tournament, from a failed goalkeeping debut to becoming one of Colombia’s most important defenders. He has overcome injuries and form fluctuations and remains a respected figure in European and South American football.
The boy from Guachené who conceded eight goals in his first match, who scored three World Cup goals in 2018, who lost his starting place in 2026 but remained a leader—Yerry Mina’s journey is a story of resilience, leadership, and the pursuit of a dream on football’s greatest stage.
