Barcelona host Atletico Madrid on Sunday in a game that could go a long way to deciding how intense the La Liga title race is for the remainder of this season.

Atletico closed the gap to Barca to five points in midweek after the leaders' 1-1 draw at Las Palmas, with star man Antoine Griezmann firing in seven goals in his last two outings.

Barca will need to be at their best against Diego Simeone's men, but one man they won't be able to count on is Yerry Mina after he failed to make Ernesto Valverde's squad once again.

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This is the fourth consecutive game in which the 23-year-old, who moved to the Nou Camp from Palmeiras in January for just under £10.5 million, has been completely left out.

Ahead of the clash with Atleti, Barcelona manager Valverde was asked about Mina's continued absence, and he explained the reason why he hasn't been selecting the young defender.

Mina's Barca career so far

Mina only made his Barca debut last month, coming on as an 83rd-minute substitute for Gerard Pique at Valencia, before making an impressive full debut days later against Getafe.

However, he hasn't played since, and Valverde has revealed that the excellent form of his other central defensive options means Mina is currently unable to get a look in.

Why Mina is being left out of Barca's squads

The 54-year-old Spaniard said, via Sport: "Yerry Mina? I have four centre-backs and I usually name three on the list (squad).

"Those who have been playing (first-choice) are Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti, and when Thomas Vermaelen's played, he's done well."

Valverde added: "Yerry came in later. It's a way of picking the squad, in which according to the games, I pick one player for better over another."

What next for Mina?

So, despite Mina's clear promise, it looks like the first Colombian to ever play for Barcelona has a massive fight on his hands if he wants to establish himself as a regular.

Pique has been Barca's defensive stalwart for years, Umtiti has been outstanding since arriving from Lyon in 2016, while ex-Arsenal captain Vermaelen looks as good as he ever has done.

Given that, surely Mina needs a consistent run of games to help him get settled at his new club and prove that he is worthy of playing for the Catalan giants.

Do YOU think Mina deserves more squad selections and playing time at Barca? Be sure to leave YOUR opinion in the comments box below!