Yerry Mina: Colombia’s towering defender rose from poverty to become one of the stars of World Cup 2018, but could have been a keeper
HE'S been a towering presence at the heart of that Colombian backline, showing resilience while under pressure for his country.
In fact, Yerry Mina, 23, was the hero for the South Americans in their last game, which cemented their place in the last-16, with a bullet header against Senegal in a 1-0 win.
But it hasn't always been plain sailing for the Barcelona defender who grew up in poverty in Guachene, a small village some 40 minutes away from Cali.
As a young boy, Mina learned his trade playing on muddy, grass-starved pitches populated with more horses than boys dreaming of representing their national team.
He starred for his local team Atletico Renacer, initially as a goalkeeper. His father José Eulises played between the sticks for América de Cali, as did his uncle.
But a young Mina found his true calling in defence after insisting he wanted to stand out from the crowd more.
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His first coach, Seifar Apoza recalled how he was impressed by his protege's close control at the age of 12.
"He had very good control of the ball, much better than children of his age," he told El Espectador.
"That's why I told him to play as a defender, because I thought he would give me a hand there."
Seifar built up a fatherly bond with Mina, who was so desperate to become a footballer he shunned his pals who wanted him to play on the streets rather than practice on flooded pitches.
"A boy who who thinks about training at that age instead of messing around with his friends can make a different life for himself," Seifar said.
Guided by dad, Eulises and mum, Marianela González, Mina could've fallen into the usual pitfalls that young kids of Guachene succumb to.
The area is rife with gangs and it would've been far easier for the aspiring footballer to fall into the usual trappings of alcohol and drug addiction. But Mina wasn't interested in that.
"He did not like to have a beer, he said he could not because of his football," his cousin Brayan Mina revealed.
At the age of 17, Mina's footballing dreams became to come to fruition. He joined the youth ranks of Deportivo Pasto and it was clear he was something special.
"He had good technical ability, a good pass, a good physique, plus intelligence and intuition," said Fernando Figueroa, his youth coach at the club.
"He arrived as a defensive midfielder but we needed centre-backs and he adapted. He was a really respectful kid – I liked him."
After making his debut aged 19, Mina was soon snapped up by Independiente Santa Fe - where he became a permanent fixture in the first team.
He won the Superliga Águila in 2015, adding the Copa Sudamericana the same season.
His impressive performances alerted scouts at Palmeiras to his qualities, and Mina was soon on the move again.
He helped his new club lift their first Serie A title in 12 years in 2016 and became an instant fans' favourite, which meant another move was soon on the cards.
This time it was the mighty Barcelona who came calling - paying €11.8 million and setting Mina's release clause at a mammoth €100 million when they signed him in January of this year.
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It was a small victory for Mina's Guachene village, which has a population of just 20,000 people.
A local boy had made it out of the gutter and had hit the big time, becoming the first Colombian to ever be bought by the La Liga giants.
And he's not forgotten his roots either, setting up charity project the Yerry Mina Foundation in his hometown.
“For me it is a homeland pride, a national pride that the child has reached the best club in the world," his mother told Efe.
So far, his Barcelona career hasn't quite taken off - he's played a total of six games in all competitions for the Catalans.
But it's his World Cup appearances that have now see him linked with a whole host of Premier League clubs, including Liverpool and West Ham who are reportedly interested in securing his services.
Should he put on another commanding display against the Three Lions on Tuesday, his stock and price will only rise further.
Surely Barca boss Ernesto Valverde will resist all offers for England's possible scourge?