Davinson Sánchez is a professional footballer from Colombia, known for his role as a centre-back.
He was awarded the AFC Ajax Player of the Year for the 2016-17 season, highlighting his impact at the club.
Sánchez began his professional career with Atlético Nacional, where he made his debut in 2013.
Biography
Early Life
Davinson Sánchez Mina was born in Colombia, where he began his football journey in the youth academy of América de Cali. Initially starting as a defensive midfielder, his natural abilities led him to transition to a centre-back position, showcasing his anticipation, strength, and aerial prowess. After relocating with his family to Antioquia, he joined Atlético Nacional's youth setup under coach Juan Carlos Osorio, who emphasized a possession-based style of play.
Career
Sánchez made his professional debut for Atlético Nacional on October 27, 2013, in a match against Boyacá Chicó. He quickly established himself as a key player, scoring his first senior goal on March 2, 2016, during the Copa Libertadores. His standout performances helped Atlético Nacional secure the Copa Libertadores title that year, drawing attention from European clubs. In June 2016, he signed with AFC Ajax for a reported fee of €5 million, where he continued to excel, earning the Ajax Player of the Year award for the 2016-17 season.
In addition to his club success, Sánchez has represented Colombia at various youth levels, including the U-17, U-20, and Olympic teams. He made his senior debut for the national team in November 2016 and was part of the squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. As of now, he plays for Süper Lig club Galatasaray, contributing to their recent successes in Turkish football.
Legacy
Throughout his career, Sánchez has accumulated numerous honors, including multiple league titles with Atlético Nacional and Galatasaray, as well as individual accolades such as being named in the Copa América Team of the Tournament in 2024. His journey from a youth player in Colombia to an international footballer exemplifies his dedication and talent in the sport.
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Gallery
Career & Clubs
Atlético Nacional
Davinson Sánchez began his footballing education in the academy of América de Cali, first as a defensive midfielder before being moved permanently to centre-back due to his anticipation, strength and aerial ability. During his early teens he impressed playing above his age category, drawing interest from clubs in Medellín. After his family relocated to Antioquia, Sánchez joined the youth setup of Atlético Nacional under coach Juan Carlos Osorio, who promoted a possession-based system relying on ball-playing centre-backs. He made his professional debut on 27 October 2013, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–0 loss to Boyacá Chicó in the Categoría Primera A. On 2 March 2016 he scored his first senior goal in a 3–0 win over Sporting Cristal during the Copa Libertadores group stage. That year he was a starter throughout Nacional's victorious 2016 Copa Libertadores, including both legs of the final against Independiente del Valle, giving Nacional its second continental title. His performances in the Copa Libertadores caught the attention of European and Brazilian clubs including Barcelona, Ajax and Flamengo. Sánchez declined Barcelona's offer because it required joining Barcelona B, opting for Ajax as he would be guaranteed valuable playing time.
AFC Ajax
After winning the 2016 Copa Libertadores with Atlético Nacional, Sánchez signed a five-year contract with Ajax in June 2016 for a reported fee of €5 million. He officially joined the Dutch club…
Youth teams
In November 2011, Sánchez was called up to dispute the 2011 South American U-15 Championship, where his team finished as runner-up behind Brazil; Sánchez was appointed as his team's captain for the tournament. Sánchez represented Colombia U-17 side at the 2013 South American U-17 Championship, where he appeared twice in the group stage. On 6 January 2015, he was included in Carlos Restrepo's 23-man list for the 2015 South American U-20 Championship, where Colombia secured qualification to the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup and the Olympic play-off for Rio 2016 after finishing runner-up. On 6 May, Sánchez was named in Colombia final 23-man team for the U-20 World Cup, where his team exited the tournament in the round of 16 after falling to the United States. Despite not disputing the Olympics, Sánchez appeared in both legs for the play-off series against the United States, in which Colombia qualified to the Olympics for the first team since Barcelona 1992 after finishing the series 3–2 on aggregate.
Senior team
Colombia manager José Pékerman called up Sánchez for a training squad with the senior Colombia squad in February 2016. On 26 August 2022, he was named in Colombia's squad for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Brazil. On 19 November, Sánchez made his debut against Argentina.
In May 2018, he was named in Colombia's preliminary 35-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. In June 2018, he was named in Colombia's final…
Club
As of match played 9 May 2026
International
As of match played 7 July 2026
Scores and results list Colombia'a goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Sánchez goal.
- Club
- Colombia Olympic football team (2016–)
- Club
- Colombia men's national football team
- Club
- Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
- Club
- Atlético Nacional (2013–)
- Club
- Colombia national under-17 football team (2013–2013)
- Club
- Colombia national under-20 football team (2014–)
- League
- Premier League
- National team
- Colombia
Trophies & Awards
- Award
- AFC Ajax–player of the year
Legacy
Atlético Nacional
Categoría Primera A: 2013 Apertura, 2013 Finalización, 2014 Apertura, 2015 Finalización Copa Colombia: 2012, 2013 Superliga Colombiana: 2016 Copa Libertadores: 2016 Galatasaray
Süper Lig: 2023–24, 2024–25, 2025–26 Turkish Cup: 2024–25 Turkish Super Cup: 2023 Individual
Ajax Player of the Year (Rinus Michels Award): 2016–17 Copa América Team of the Tournament: 2024 IFFHS Top 11 Copa América: 2024
Clubs
- Atlético Nacional2013current
- Colombia national under-20 football team2014current
- Colombia Olympic football team2016current
- Colombia men's national football teamcurrent
- Tottenham Hotspur F.C.current
- Colombia national under-17 football team2013–2013
Played together with
Aaron LennonTottenham Hotspur F.C. · 2005–2015
Abel AguilarColombia men's national football team · 2004–2018- Achito VivasAtlético Nacional · 1958–1958
- Achito VivasColombia men's national football team · 1962–1963
Adam SmithTottenham Hotspur F.C. · 2008–2014
Adel TaarabtTottenham Hotspur F.C. · 2007–2009- Adel TaarabtTottenham Hotspur F.C. · 2007–2007
- Adolfo ValenciaColombia men's national football team · 1992–1998
- Adriano Gerlin da SilvaAtlético Nacional · 2006–2006
Adrián RamosColombia men's national football team · 2008–2016- Alan BrazilTottenham Hotspur F.C. · 1983–1984
- Alan GilzeanTottenham Hotspur F.C. · 1964–1974
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Davinson Sánchez Mina is a Colombian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Süper Lig club Galatasaray and the Colombia national team.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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