An unsuccessful Real Madrid youth graduate, he would make a name for himself with Valencia, helping the club to win four major titles during his five-year spell and scoring 48 goals in 218 La Liga games over ten seasons, in representation of four teams.

He subsequently signed for Valencia, and was a prominent member[4] of the successful sides that won two league titles and the 2004 UEFA Cup, where he scored the second goal in the 2–0 win against Olympique de Marseille.

[10][11] After only two official goals for Deportivo in two seasons, Mista signed with Toronto FC of Major League Soccer on 6 July 2010, in a deal running until the end of the campaign.

[12] He made his unofficial debut for the team in a friendly against Bolton Wanderers at BMO Field on the 21st, and first appeared in the league in a home match against FC Dallas on 24 July.

[20][21] After the COVID-19 pandemic, he finally made his managerial debut on 15 August in a 2–2 draw with York9 FC in neutral Prince Edward Island;[22] the team from the capital finished the season in seventh place, one above last.