Yerry Mina admits that he is open to leaving Barcelona
During a press conference in Bogotá, the defender spoke about his future and the rumours which place him far from Camp Nou next season.
Following the great World Cup he enjoyed in Russia with Colombia, Yerry Mina must now establish where he wants to play football next season. Barcelona recently brought in a new centre-back - Clément Lenglet, and the Colombian appear to be out of favour with Blaugrana coach Ernesto Valverde. Today, Mina confirmed that leaving Barcelona this summer is a possibility for him.
At a commercial event in Bogotá this afternoon, Yerry Mina told reporters: "I'm relaxed about it, I have always had both feet firmly on the ground and my eyes looking to heaven. I will always try to do the best I can for me and for my team. Wherever I end up, whether it's at Barcelona or if I have to go somewhere else, I will continue to give the best of myself. But as things stand, I am happy at Barcelona. Where would I like to be? Just somewhere where I get playing time and where they have faith in me".
Yerry Mina wishes Lenglet good luck
As for the arrival of Lenglet, Mina added: "He's a player with many qualities who has joined Barcelona for what he has to offer and because he deserves to be there. From what I've seen of him, he's a player who has what it takes to play at a big club. All that is left for me to do is share our duties together in the squad, learn as much as I can from him and wish him all the luck in the world".
Complicated start at Barcelona
As for his own experiences at Barcelona, the defender admitted he had a difficult start. "It wasn't all happy as some people might think. It was amazing to be playing for Barcelona, that was a dream come true for me, but there were also some very difficult moments which caused me great sadness and that's why I went through a tough time. I had hoped it would all work out as I had imagined but it wasn't like that - at times I felt that everything was going downhill. Nothing was going my way, I wasn't even making any headway in training", he explained.
Overlooked by Valverde
"I have always called on God to help me get through things. I am very grateful to everyone who helped me, when I wasn't even getting on the subs' bench. I decided to start training on my own at home. It's difficult watching your team play on television. That's something I wouldn't wish on any player, but if it does, I'd tell them to trust in God. When I was called by the national team but didn't get into the team I went on a huge downer, but my team mates helped me through it and in the end I knew it would all work out ok", he continued.
"I was very nervous during the first game at the World Cup because I'd hardly been playing and not so long ago, when I was at Palmeiras, I was the main man, Mister Yerry. God has given me the chance to show what I am made of. I've learned an important lesson - to not settle for less and to keep battling and plugging away - that is how I can show what I can do", he concluded.
Everton pushing hard for Yerry Mina
In the past few weeks Everton have been insisting in bringing Mina to Goodison for the new season and there has even been talk in England about a 24 million euro offer having already been presented to Barcelona. Everton and Barça may be negotiating for the player but no deal has been done as the British press are claiming, as Mina's agent recently confirmed.
