César Ignacio Pérez Maldonado (born 29 November 2002) is a Chilean footballer who plays as a midfielder for Argentine club Defensa y Justicia.

[2] In July 2024, Pérez moved to Argentina and signed with Defensa y Justicia.

[9] He was included in the final squad for the 2023 Pan American Games,[10][11] where Chile won the silver medal.

[13] At senior level, he was called up to the training microcycle in March 2021 of Chile by the coach Martín Lasarte along with his teammate Julián Alfaro.

[14] He received his first call-up for the friendly matches in June 2023[15] and made his debut in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Ecuador on 21 November 2023 by replacing Erick Pulgar at the minute 70.