Yerry Mina went from hitch-hiking on lorries in Colombia to Everton's dancing hero via Barcelona and that World Cup header against England

And from difficult beginnings in a poverty-stricken Guachene to struggles in Barcelona, Mina's career hasn't always been a song and dance.

That's not the way he tells it, though. The 26-year-old, who has established himself as one of the strongest and most joyous defenders in the Premier League, always finds reason to bop.

"It comes to me naturally," he tells talkSPORT.com "Where I'm from in Colombia, my town Guachene, dancing is in our blood.

"The first thing that comes to my mind initially is to thank the man upstairs, God, because that's my inspiration.

"But you do what comes to you naturally in the moment, you don't plan for it, it might be a dance, it might be kneeling down, it just comes out!"

Family is important to Mina, it's the reason why he started off as a goalkeeper, following in the footsteps of his father Jose Eulises, who played in goal for America de Cali.

Breaking away from tradition and stepping into defence at local team Atletico Renacer, Mina was always inspired by the thought of a better life for those he loves.

As well as an extraordinary attitude, Mina was also blessed with a supreme talent which saw him rise out of obscurity from Atletico Renacer to Deportivo Pasto to Independiente Sante Fe.

"Going back to the early beginnings for me, back home in Colombia, initially as a kid, getting to training was difficult," he adds.

"We would either have to walk, get a bus, or get on the back of a lorry with a trailer behind it. It might be carrying sand or all kinds of stuff. But without the driver knowing, we would literally jump on the back. If it was going in your direction, it might save you a long walk.

"It was tough. Things were tough. But what I always say is that those tough times made me really strong - and it's something I can be proud and happy about in the present day. I think what I did and how I got through those times, like a lot of Colombian footballers, serves as some kind of inspiration for us.

"Not a day goes by when I don't wake up and think about my family and the sacrifices they made to try and help me to become a professional footballer. When I think about that family, that's an extra level of inspiration that you draw from those tough times.

"The big goal, the big carrot in the distance, was not only to become a professional player, but how you could help your family and bring them out of those socially difficult situations and take their lives a step forward, too."

Guided by an astonishing faith, Mina arrived at heaven on earth: the Nou Camp. Following a brief spell with Palmeiras in Brazil, another football Mecca, all of his dreams came true in 2018 when he became the first Colombian ever to sign for Barcelona.

With a 100million euro release clause, big things were expected of the 6ft 4ins defender - but it didn't really work out.

Mina made just five LaLiga appearances and eight months later, the Colombian left for Everton.

He recalls: "It was a great moment, making history as the first Colombian ever to play for Barcelona. Football, like life, gives you lots of ups and downs. That was a big high when I signed for Barcelona. But for one reason or another, things didn't work out. I didn't get the game time that I needed.

"Your faith helps you through those difficult times. I was very sorry that I didn't get a chance to prove myself and play that frequently. So you look at ways to never give up, to persist, train hard and try hard.

"Sometimes there's not a clear explanation for why things don't work out, they just don't work out.

"But you get to a point where you do want to be playing regularly and you look for a way out, fortunately Everton provided me with a chance to do that and now I'm just really focused and positive."

Upon arrival on Merseyside in 2018, Mina's first task was to mend the English hearts he broke, albeit briefly, at the World Cup in Russia - where he equalled the record for goals by a defender in a single tournament with three.

The Colombia star has made a habit of scoring from corners this season - but it still makes England fans shudder every time, after that header in the third minute of injury time on July 3, 2018.

It was rendered meaningless by Eric Dier's shootout-winning penalty, but the 120 minutes which preceded it left a bitter taste between the two nations.

The never-say-die mentality of Colombia's golden generation, blessed with talents such as Juan Cuadrado and Radamel Falao, was there for all to see - and some suggested that lines were crossed.

Just one month later, Mina found himself face-to-face with England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, the man who failed to stop his bullet header in Russia, and the Colombian made it a priority to clear the air.

"It was a great tournament for me," Mina continues. "That spirit of never giving up really came to effect in that tournament, I didn't start the first game, but in a way that drove me on and inspired me even more to show inner strength.

"So when I did feature in the second game and in the rest of the tournament, it was a chance to prove myself.

"It was a very emotional game against England. I think we proved in that tournament, and in that game, that we had players who could make a difference. Players like Cuadrado and others, it was a great squad.

"I arrived at Everton and I didn't have any English at all, but my agent taught me one phrase to say to Jordan, maybe to set things right when we first met. It was, 'Hey Jordan, we are together now!' So that was a nice little moment when I first met Jordan, he acknowledged that.

"I'm happy to share a dressing room with him now, rather than be his opponent."

Who knows what would've happened if fellow Colombian James Rodriguez wasn't injured for that fateful match against the Three Lions, but having watched him this season, England fans can count their lucky stars.

With legendary manager Carlo Ancelotti at the helm and Rodriguez among their ranks, Everton have mounted a serious challenge to the established top four this season.

The Toffees could even climb above arch-rivals Liverpool if they win both of their games in hand, starting with Leicester tonight, live on talkSPORT.

"It's fantastic that James is here with us at the moment," says Mina. "I knew him before and he's become like a brother to me now, both on and off the field, personally and with my game. He's a top, top guy.

"We're really, really happy. Happier than ever. It's one big family here and we're very united.

"We're working hard towards the same goals together as a group and a squad. Every week and every day, we're growing to understand each other better and that's really important.

"We're really focused on what the manager wants us to do. In my case, it's all about doing my little bit for the cause, and fortunately for now, things seem to be going very well."

Listen to Everton vs Leicester City live on talkSPORT tonight at 8.15pm!

Yerry Mina used to hitch-hike on the back of lorries to training in Colombia, so the Everton star was always braced for an uncomfortable ride.