Kevin Mier
{{short description|Colombian footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{family name hatnote|Mier|Robles|lang=Spanish}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Kevin Mier
| image =
| caption =
| fullname = Kevin Leonardo Mier Robles
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|5|18|df=y}}
| birth_place = Barrancabermeja, Santander, Colombia
| position = Goalkeeper
| currentclub = Cruz Azul
| clubnumber = 23
| youthyears1 = 2008–2018
| youthclubs1 = Oro Negro
| youthyears2 = 2018–2019
| youthclubs2 = Atlético Nacional
| years1 = 2019–2023
| clubs1 = Atlético Nacional
| caps1 = 54
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2019
| clubs2 = → Santa Fe (loan)
| caps2 = 0
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2020
| clubs3 = → Valledupar (loan)
| caps3 = 16
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2024–
| clubs4 = Cruz Azul
| caps4 = 65
| goals4 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2015
| nationalteam1 = Colombia U15
| nationalcaps1 = 1
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2017
| nationalteam2 = Colombia U17
| nationalcaps2 = 13
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2018–2019
| nationalteam3 = Colombia U20
| nationalcaps3 = 14
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| nationalyears4 = 2018
| nationalteam4 = Colombia U21
| nationalcaps4 = 2
| nationalgoals4 = 0
| nationalyears5 = 2025–
| nationalteam5 = Colombia
| nationalcaps5 = 2
| nationalgoals5 = 0
| pcupdate = 16:33, 13 July 2025 (UTC)
| ntupdate = 23:38, 10 June 2025 (UTC)
}}
Kevin Leonardo Mier Robles (born 18 May 2000) is a Colombian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Liga MX club Cruz Azul and the Colombia national team.
Professional career
=Atlético Nacional=
Mier is a youth product of his local club Oro Negro from the age of 4 to 14.{{Cite web|url=https://www.noticiasrcn.com/deportes/historia-kevin-mier-arquero-nacional-y-futuro-seleccion-439577|title=De hacer vaca para unos guayos a llegar a la Selección Colombia: la historia de Kevin Mier|date=February 17, 2023|website=De hacer vaca para unos guayos a llegar a la Selección Colombia: la historia de Kevin Mier}} He converted from forward to goalkeeper in 2011.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eltiempo.com/deportes/futbol-internacional/quien-es-kevin-mer-el-arquero-de-la-seleccion-colombia-sub-20-370260|title=Mier, arquero con pasado de artillero que metió a Colombia en cuartos|first1=Casa Editorial El|last1=Tiempo|first2=REDACCIÓN EL|last2=TIEMPO|date=June 2, 2019|website=ElTiempo}} On 18 January 2016 he transferred to Atlético Nacional signing a contract and was initially assigned to their youth team.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vanguardia.com/santander/barrancabermeja/kevin-mier-se-viste-de-verde-a-sus-15-anos-CEVL343980|title=Kevin Mier se viste de ‘verde’ a sus 15 años|first=Íngrid P. Albis|last=Pérez|date=January 20, 2016|website=www.vanguardia.com}} He began his senior career with two successive loans, with Santa Fe in 2019 and Valledupar in 2020. He returned to Atlético Nacional for the 2021 season where he started acting as the starting goalkeeper, and extended his professional contract with the club in June 2022 until 2025.{{Cite web|url=https://espndeportes.espn.com/futbol/colombia/nota/_/id/10871308/atletico-nacional-renueva-contrato-kevin-mier-arquero-2025|title=Kevin Mier renovó su contrato con Atlético Nacional hasta 2025|date=September 3, 2022|website=ESPNdeportes.com}} He helped the club win the 2021 Copa Colombia, the 2022 Categoría Primera A season Apertura, and the 2023 Superliga Colombiana, earning him attention from abroad.{{Cite web|url=https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2023/02/02/kevin-mier-dejo-impresionado-a-scout-del-tottenham/|title=Kevin Mier dejó impresionado a "scout" del Tottenham|first=Por Javier García2 de Febrero|last=de 2023|website=infobae}}
=Cruz Azul=
==Arrival and Early Impact==
Kevin Leonardo Mier Robles's transfer to Cruz Azul was officially announced on 12 January 2024, for a reported fee of €3.2 million, approximately $3 million, from Colombian club Atlético Nacional.{{cite web|url=https://colombia.as.com/futbol/colombianos-por-el-mundo/kevin-mier-presentado-en-cruz-azul-de-mexico-n/|title=Kevin Mier, presentado en Cruz Azul de México|publisher=Diario AS Colombia|language=es|date=12 January 2024}} This acquisition held significant historical importance for Cruz Azul, as Mier became the club's first foreign goalkeeper in nearly three decades, ending a tradition of relying on homegrown Mexican goalkeepers since 1997.https://esto.com.mx/786586-kevin-mier-sera-el-primer-portero-extranjero-de-cruz-azul-en-30-anos/ Since Norberto Scoponi's departure, the club had predominantly relied on homegrown Mexican goalkeepers, including notable figures like Óscar Pérez and Jesús Corona.https://www.postadeportes.com/futbol/kevin-mier-quinto-portero-extranjero-en-la-historia-de-cruz-azul/vl1529408 Upon his arrival, Mier quickly established himself as the team's starting goalkeeper, donning the number 23 jersey.https://extremodeportivo.com/nacional/oficial-kevin-mier-nuevo-portero-de-cruz-azul-para-el-clausura-2024/ His contract with Cruz Azul extends until 30 June 2029.https://www.espn.com.mx/futbol/mexico/nota/_/id/13728565/cruz-azul-kevin-mier-contrato-renovacion-2029
In the 2024 Liga MX Clausura season, Mier played a key role as Cruz Azul finished an impressive 2nd in the regular season table with 33 points.https://www.vavel.com/mx/futbol-mexicano/2024/05/31/cruz-azul/1183738-kevin-mier-renovado-hasta-el-2029.html They successfully navigated the Liguilla, defeating UNAM 4–2 on aggregate in the quarter-finals. Mier was the starting goalkeeper in all Liguilla matches, including the final. Cruz Azul reached the championship final but ultimately lost to fierce rivals Club América with an aggregate score of 2–1, following a 1–1 draw in the first leg on 23 May 2024, and a 1–0 defeat in the second leg on 26 May 2024.https://www.elfinanciero.com.mx/deportes/2024/05/26/final-liga-mx-clausura-2024-en-vivo-america-vs-cruz-azul-donde-ver-resultado-minuto-a-minuto/
Cruz Azul continued their strong form into the Apertura, topping the regular season table and finishing 1st with 42 points. They progressed to the semi-finals of the Liguilla, where they again faced Club América. After a 0–0 draw in the first leg, Cruz Azul lost the second leg 4–3.https://www.espn.com.mx/futbol/partido/_/juegoId/723945/america-cruz-azul
==2025: Continental Triumph and Continued Form==
A notable display of his ball skills occurred in Matchweek 4 of the 2025 Clausura season on January 29, 2025, against Necaxa. With the score tied, a misjudged pass from a teammate put a Necaxa forward through on goal.https://www.elgrafico.mx/futbol/2025/01/29/resultado-cruz-azul-vs-necaxa-jornada-4-liga-mx/ Mier calmly rushed out and, instead of clearing the ball, executed a precise back-heel move to evade the initial pressure. He then continued to carry the ball forward, daring another opponent before performing a quick step-over and finally distributing the ball calmly near the center circle.https://www.si.com/soccer/cruz-azul-goalkeeper-kevin-mier-dribbles-past-necaxa-players
Mier was an absolutely pivotal figure in Cruz Azul's triumph in the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup, securing a major continental title for the club. In the semifinal, he was instrumental in keeping a strong Tigres UANL side scoreless in the decisive second leg on 2 May 2025, following a 1–1 draw in the first leg, helping Cruz Azul advance to the final.https://onefootball.com/en/news/sepulveda-allen-mier-earn-2025-concacaf-champions-cup-honors-41192934 In the final match, Cruz Azul delivered a convincing 5–0 victory over Canadian side Vancouver Whitecaps FC on 2 June 2025, with Mier notably securing a clean sheet, which was his fourth of the tournament.https://www.elcolombiano.com/deportes/futbol/kevin-mier-y-willer-ditta-campeones-de-concacaf-con-cruz-azul-AH27572983 The Vancouver Whitecaps notably registered no shots on goal throughout the match, a testament to Cruz Azul's defensive solidity and Mier's commanding presence and organization from the back.https://www.winsports.co/futbol-internacional/noticias/kevin-mier-se-consagro-campeon-con-cruz-azul-de-mexico-359907 His outstanding performances throughout the tournament, which included 3 clean sheets and 9 saves in 7 appearances, earned him the Best Goalkeeper Award.https://colombia.as.com/futbol/colombianos-por-el-mundo/ditta-y-mier-llegan-a-seleccion-con-un-titulo-internacional-n/
International career
At the age of 14, Mier was first called up to the Colombia U15s for the 2015 South American U-15 Championship, without making an appearance. He started for the Colombia U17s at the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vanguardia.com/deportes/seleccion-colombia/el-santandereano-kevin-mier-ira-al-mundial-sub-17-de-india-IGVL410008|title=El santandereano Kevin Mier irá al Mundial Sub 17 de India|first=Julián Patiño|last=Monsalve|date=September 19, 2017|website=www.vanguardia.com}} He was also the starter for the Colombia U21s at in their winning campaign at the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games, and was named best goalkeeper of the tournament.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rcnradio.com/deportes/kevin-mier-el-mejor-portero-del-sudamericano-sub-20|title=Solo un colombiano está en el '11' ideal del Sudamericano sub 20|date=February 12, 2019|website=RCN Radio}}
Style of Play
Mier is known for his composure, reflexes, ball handling and footwork. He has been seen rushing out of goal to show his skill on the ball and to challenge his opponents.{{Cite web|url= https://www.si.com/soccer/cruz-azul-goalkeeper-kevin-mier-dribbles-past-necaxa-players|title= WATCH: Cruz Azul Goalkeeper Skilfully Dribbles Past Two Players|date=January 29, 2025|website=SI.com}} An agile and quick-thinking goalkeeper with the ability to play with his feet, Mier is regarded as a sweeper-keeper, and is oftentimes compared to Colombian legend, René Higuita who also helped train Mier during his time at Atlético Nacional.{{Cite web|url= https://www.footboom1.com/en/news/football/2147334-kevin-mier-compared-to-rene-higuita-in-mexican-football|title= Kevin Mier Compared to René Higuita in Mexican Football|date=June 12, 2024|website=footboom.com}}
Personal life
Whenever a game ends, Mier kisses his glove and looks to the sky in honour of one of his cousins who died aged 17, and has the initials of his cousin tattooed on his hand. He is passionate about gastronomy, and has a bachelor's degree.
Mier is known to keep a figure of a Virgin in his goal during matches. First being seen during the 2023 Copa Colombia final against Millonarios where Mier’s Atlético Nacional won on penalties with a score of 5-4,{{cite web|url= https://www.noticiasrcn.com/deportes/la-virgen-mi-fiel-companera-la-fe-de-kevin-mier-su-principal-aliada-830748|title= “La virgen, mi fiel compañera”: La fe de Kevin Mier, su principal aliada|language=es|date=24 November 2023|accessdate=26 February 2025}} and later being seen throughout league matches of the 2024 Liga MX Clausura.{{cite web|url= https://www.tudn.com/futbol/liga-mx/kevin-mier-tiene-la-ayuda-divina-de-la-virgen-que-cuida-policias-y-ejercito|title= Kevin Mier tiene la ayuda divina de la Virgen que cuida a Policía y Ejército |language=es|date=24 May 2024|accessdate=26 February 2025}}
Club statistics
= Club =
{{updated|match played 12 July 2025}}{{Soccerway|kevin-leonardo-mier-robles/475476}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National Cup !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="5"|Atlético Nacional
|2019 |rowspan="4"|Categoría Primera A |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2021
|8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 9 | 0 | ||
| 2022
|41 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2{{efn|Appearances in Copa Libertadores|name=CL}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 46 | 0 | ||
| 2023
|37 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 4{{efn|Appearances in Copa Libertadores|name=CL}} | 0 | 2 | 0 | 49 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!86||0||10||0||6||0||2||0||104||0 | ||||||||||
| Santa Fe (loan)
|2019 |Categoría Primera A |0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Valledupar (loan)
|2020 |16 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 17 | 0 | |||
| rowspan="4" |Cruz Azul
| rowspan="3" |Liga MX |23 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2" |— | 23 | 0 | ||||
| 2024–25
|41 |0 | colspan="2" |— |7{{Efn|Appearances in CONCACAF Champions Cup|name=CCC}} |0 |4{{Efn|Appearances in Leagues Cup|name=LC}} |0 |52 |0 | ||||||||||
| 2025–26
|1 |0 | colspan="2" |— |0 |0 |0 |0 |1 |0 | ||||||||||
| colspan="2" |Total
!65 !0 !0 !0 !7 !0 !4 !0 !76 !0 | ||||||||||
| colspan="3" |Career total
!167 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 197 | 0 |
{{notelist}}
= International =
{{updated|match played 10 June 2025}}{{Soccerway|kevin-leonardo-mier-robles/475476}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+Appearances and goals by national team and year !National team !Year !Apps !Goals |
| Colombia
|2025 |2 |0 |
| colspan="2" |Total
!2 !0 |
|---|
Honours
Atlético Nacional
Cruz Azul
Colombia U17
Colombia U21
Individual
- CONCACAF Champions Cup Best Goalkeeper: 2025{{cite news |date=2 June 2025 |title=Sepúlveda, Allen, Mier earn 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup honors |url=https://www.concacaf.com/champions-cup/news/sepulveda-allen-mier-earn-2025-concacaf-champions-cup-honors/ |access-date=2 June 2025 |publisher=CONCACAF}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerway|kevin-leonardo-mier-robles/475476}}
{{Cruz Azul squad}}
{{CONCACAF Champions Cup awards}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mier, Kevin}}
Category:People from Barrancabermeja
Category:Colombian men's footballers
Category:Colombia men's youth international footballers
Category:21st-century Colombian sportsmen
Category:Atlético Nacional footballers
Category:Independiente Santa Fe footballers
Category:Valledupar F.C. footballers
Category:Cruz Azul footballers
Category:Categoría Primera A players
Category:Categoría Primera B players
Category:Men's association football goalkeepers
Category:Bolivarian Games gold medalists for Colombia
Category:Bolivarian Games medalists in football