Yerry Mina’s performances at the World Cup are likely to be providing the Barcelona board with a major conundrum.
After 14 days of back-to-back World Cup action, today has been the first day without any football and with that, we take the time to talk all about Colombia’s hero Yerry Mina.
If it was not for the 6’5” defender, his national team would have surely been packing their bags en route to their beloved Colombia. However, Mina’s excellent performances did not let that happen. The fate of Colombia has been in the hands of the centre-back, as Mina single-handedly put his team to the round of 16 thanks to a stunning header in the final 15 minutes of the match against Senegal. His 74th-minute goal has given Colombia the golden ticket to the next round, where La Tricolor will go up against England.
Although Colombia have yet to display their fiery football style, the great figure of Yerry Mina has given joy to his country not only against Senegal but also against Poland, a game in which Mina netted his first header at the World Cup.
Two goals in two games, which allows his country to breathe with peace knowing their team are in the last 16. But will Mina’s game-winning goals change things at his club?
Will things change in Barcelona?
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Yerry Mina’s World Cup performances have been revolutionary, exploding as the man to lead Colombia to glory in Russia. His two critical goals have the world waiting on what the centre-back will do next for Jose Pekerman’s men. However, despite his standout performances for Colombia, in defence as well as in the attack, Barcelona continue to see Mina as a doubt for the upcoming season.
His top-class displays in Russia have worked in the Catalans’ advantage, as many elite clubs have turned their interest onto the defender, which means if the Blaugrana plan to sell him, then now would be a perfect time because his market value has skyrocketed since his last two goals. This would allow the club to pocket a lot more from a potential transfer.
Although the Colombian failed to succeed in his first season at Barcelona, after making the move from Palmeiras for €11.8m, many continue to believe in his quality and his World Cup performances have only concreted the faith that he can succeed under Blaugrana coach Ernesto Valverde.
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Now the question that remains in the air: Should Barcelona sell the player now that his market value has increased drastically or keep him at Camp Nou?