As a preparation for Everton’s Premier League clash against Manchester City this weekend, ESPN Brasil made a interesting story with Toffees defender Yerry Mina.
The Colombian may now be completely adapted to his new club, but he’s been through some tough times earlier this year, where he struggled to get enough minutes at Barcelona.
With only six appearances in one season at the Catalan side, the player had a hard period before the World Cup, but used it as motivation.
“I went through a rather sad time in my career,” Mina told Natali Gedra from ESPN Brasil. “I was a little upset. But that made me stronger to go to the World Cup. And that’s when I was convinced that things would be okay. And everything went well. Everything was calm, because I already knew the highs, the good, and the lows.”
“I think at Barcelona I was with top players, very good players, players who are always there doing good things, with a single touch, you can’t mark them. Messi, Paulinho, Coutnho, Pique, Umtiti… this helped me a lot.
“Helped me a lot now, to be here, always try to go out playing, not to kick the ball a lot, to always play. And it served me to improve and to be strong. I think what I went through there was a very difficult time. Because every player likes to play. If you do not like to play, you’re mediocre. I think everyone likes to play and things to go well. Now I’m playing here, I’m calm, happy, and with the confidence of coach and teammates, that’s the best.”
The 24-year-old ended up making a €30m move to the Toffees in the summer, where he was quick to get a place in the starting team and already matched the same number of appearances he had at Barça.
Mina has also talked about his friendship with Gabriel Jesus, who he’s played with at Palmeiras, and especially with Richarlison, who was the first player to welcome him at Everton.
“The first day I came here, he sent me a message, told me to come, that it was good to play here, good to feel good, and I’m very happy with him. He is a player who always fights, who always wants to score goals, always wants to win the game, so that’s good.”
Asked if it’s true that he goes to Richarlison’s place to get haircuts, Mina confirmed it: “Yes, yes. He always tells me ‘Hey, come here for a chat’. And I say, ‘Okay, dude, I’ll brighten up your day.'”
