He started in Deportes Concepción, which was where he stepped up to play for the Copa Libertadores in 2001, his career ended when his team were acquired in 2003 by Cobreloa, his career was even more successful because he won a double in 2003, and a Clausura tournament in 2004 and 2006.
He, unfortunately had a bad relationship with his coach, Jorge Aravena when he wanted to go to Universidad de Chile, where he could reach his full potential, so he then went to Coquimbo Unido, and after that continued his career in Ñublense where he became a keen player, took the club to its first international tournament which was Copa Sudamericana and was chosen to be one of the greatest midfielders of the Chilean league in 2008–2009, and by the end of 2010 he became the captain of the club.
[2] After he was with Guede in Al Ahli, Morelia and Tijuana.
In 2022, he joined the technical staff of Nelson Tapia in the Ecuadorian club Libertad FC.
[3] In October 2024, Cisternas joined the technical staff of César Bravo in Cobreloa as the fitness coach.