Cristian Jesús Martínez (born 6 February 1997) is a Panamanian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Niké Liga club Slovan Bratislava and the Panama national team.
Club career Chorrillo Martínez joined the youth team of his local side Chorrillo at the age of 8, eventually joining the club's first team in 2012.
Columbus Crew Martínez signed on loan with Major League Soccer side Columbus Crew on 17 May 2016. Martínez made his MLS debut on June 1, 2016, coming on as a substitute in a 3–2 loss to Philadelphia Union. He scored in the 90+3', becoming the youngest Crew SC goal scorer in a regular-season match in club history. Martínez would be loaned by Crew SC to Pittsburgh Riverhounds, the club's USL affiliate. He made his Riverhounds debut against FC Montreal on 10 August 2016. Crew SC would recall Martínez for two more appearances at the end of the MLS season. On 25 January, Martínez was acquired on a permanent transfer. On May 4, 2017, Martínez was loaned to United Soccer League club FC Cincinnati. He played in one game before returning to the Columbus Crew on May 8.
Chicago Fire On 12 December 2018, Martínez was selected by Chicago Fire in the MLS Waiver Draft.
On 24 August 2019, Martínez joined USL Championship side Las Vegas Lights on loan for the remainder of the season.
Cádiz On January 18, 2020, Cádiz CF announced his signing until 2022 and that he would be loaned to a Segunda División B team. On January 24 it was made official that that team would be Recreativo de Huelva.
On January 30, 2021, Cádiz CF announced his six-month loan to CD Plaza Amador of Panama.
Najran On 20 January 2023, Martínez joined Saudi Arabian club Najran.
Plaza Amador On 26 July 2023, Martínez joined Plaza Amador.
Al-Jandal On 16 September 2023, Martínez joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Jandal.
Ironi Kiryat Shmona On 13 July 2024 signed for the Israeli club Ironi Kiryat Shmona.
International career In May 2018 he was named in Panama's preliminary 35 man squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. However, he did not make the final 23. Martínez eventually played the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Panama having two games in Canada and one in the United States. He was chosen as Player of the Match in the defeat to Croatia.
Career statistics
Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsChorrillo2013–14Liga Panameña de Fútbol5000——502014–15Liga Panameña de Fútbol1000——102015–16Liga Panameña de Fútbol31300——313Total37300——373Columbus Crew (loan)2016Major League Soccer5120000071Pittsburgh Riverhounds (loan)2016Major League Soccer8000——80Columbus Crew2017Major League Soccer80000000802018Major League Soccer150100000160Total220100000230FC Cincinnati (loan)2017Major League Soccer1000——10Chicago Fire2019–20Major League Soccer5000—0050Las Vegas Lights (loan)2020USL Championship9200——92Recreativo Huelva (loan)2019–20Segunda División B40———40Cádiz B2020–21Segunda División B10———10Plaza Amador (loan)2021Liga Panameña de Fútbol3020020—322Monagas (loan)2022Venezuelan Primera División290—20—310Plaza Amador2023Liga Panameña de Fútbol40———40Najran2022–23Saudi First Division League16000——160Al Jandal2023–24Saudi First Division League287———287Ironi Kiryat Shmona (loan)2024–25Israeli Premier League33110—50401Ironi Kiryat Shmona2025–26Israeli Premier League31420—00334Slovan Bratislava2026–27Slovak First Football League601061—131Career total27020701015029221
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsPanama2016202018502021402022120202314020241312025111202680Total692
International goals No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 6 June 2024 Estadio Rommel Fernández, Panama City, Panama 1–0 2–0 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 2. 16 June 2025 Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, United States 1–0 5–2 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup
Honours Panama
CONCACAF Gold Cup runner-up: 2023 CONCACAF Nations League runner-up: 2024–25
References
External links