Cristian played his first match as a professional on 31 August 2002, starting in a 1–1 home draw against Albacete Balompié.

[2] Also during that campaign, he found the net in a 4–2 loss at Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey.

Cristian joined Cádiz CF for 2007–08, being relegated but managing to promote from Segunda División B the following year.

In the following six years, Cristian continued competing in division two, with SD Ponferradina,[6] Córdoba CF, CE Sabadell FC[7] and CD Tenerife.

Whilst at the service of Córdoba, he suffered a severe anterior cruciate ligament injury which sidelined him for nearly one year.