Yerry Mina
Centre-Back · Everton · Colombia
About Yerry Mina
Colombia's towering centre-back who became one of the standout defenders of the 2018 World Cup: his header sent Colombia through in their final group game and his 93rd-minute equaliser against England is still talked about today. Joined Barcelona (ESP) before moving to Everton.
Yerry Mina's story
The Colombian Header King
Yerry Mina is one of the most physically imposing centre-backs in world football, 6ft 5in of aerial dominance who can trouble any defence at a set piece. His 2018 World Cup was extraordinary: a header that sent Colombia through against Senegal, then a dramatic 93rd-minute equaliser against England in the last 16, remarkable returns for a centre-back at a single tournament. Barcelona signed him first, but it was Everton who gave him his longest run in Europe.
Two Goalkeepers in the Family
Mina grew up in Guachené, a small, close-knit town in Colombia's Cauca department. Both his father and his uncle played professionally as goalkeepers, but his father steered him towards outfield play instead. He joined Deportivo Pasto's academy at 18, a late start by modern standards, and made his senior debut there in March 2013.
A Historic Run With Santa Fe
At Independiente Santa Fe, Mina won the Categoría Primera A title in 2014 and was named the Copa Sudamericana's Young Player of the Year the following season, part of the first Colombian side ever to lift that trophy. The form carried him to Palmeiras, then to Barcelona in January 2018, before Everton signed him that August.
Marriage and Faith
Mina and his wife, Geraldine Molina, have been together since they were teenagers growing up in the same hometown of Guachené. He is a devout Christian and has spoken publicly at church events about the role his faith has played throughout his career.
Cagliari and a Return to the World Cup
After a brief spell at Fiorentina, Mina settled at Cagliari from 2024, agreeing a new long-term contract there the following year. His combative style, and reputation for needling opposition strikers, has followed him into Serie A, where he remains a first-choice centre-back deep into his 30s.
Did you know?
- ⏱️ His injury-time header against England in the 2018 last-16 tie, in the 93rd minute, remains one of the latest equalisers in World Cup knockout history.
- 🦶 He walked onto the Camp Nou pitch barefoot at his 2018 Barcelona unveiling, citing a Bible verse about the “soles of your feet” touching new ground.
- 👨👩👧 He is married to Geraldine Molina, also from Guachené; the couple, together since their teens, have a daughter, Kristine, and a second child since a November 2024 announcement.
- 🎵 Away from football he is a keen music fan, often naming fellow Colombians Maluma and Shakira among his favourite artists.
- ⛪ He is a member of the neo-Pentecostal Church of God Ministry of Jesus Christ International and has spoken at its events about his life and faith.
- 🤝 His uncle, Jair Mina, first took him to a trial at Deportivo Pasto as a teenager and later became his football agent.
- 😅 Known in Italy for provoking opposition strikers into rash reactions, a Serie A duel with Cagliari opponent Rafiu Durosinmi in the 2025-26 season ended with the striker sent off.
- 👪 His brother, Juan José Mina, is also a professional footballer in Colombian football.
- 🏥 The Yerry Mina Foundation, which he co-founded with his father, has funded malaria and dengue prevention efforts across 5,000 homes in his hometown of Guachené.
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