Cristián Montecinos


Cristian Antonio Montecinos González a retired Chilean football player who played for several teams in Chile, Colombia, Mexico, United Arab Emirates and Qatar. He also played as for the Chilean national team.
Montecinos began his professional career in 1988. During his playing career he played for teams like Rangers, Unión Española, Deportes Temuco, Atlético Junior, Santos Laguna, Deportes Concepción, Cruz Azul, Colo-Colo, Necaxa, Puebla, Al Wasl, among others.
He was member of Chile’s 23-man squad at 2001 Copa América, whilst the team was coached by Nelson Acosta.

Club career

A product of his hometown’s team youth set-up, Rangers de Talca, he professionally debuted in 1988. That year he only played one game and didn't scored goals at the second-level (Primera B. Then, and now at top-level following the team's promotion, he netted seven goals in 21 participations.
In 1992, Montecinos was transferred to Unión Española, winning the cup title the same year. Two years later, he was hired by Deportes Temuco where was Copa Chile goalscorer with fifteen goals.
In 1994, he moved to Colombia to play for Atlético Junior. There he became a key player in a club where he had a teammates to players like Iván René Valenciano and Carlos Valderrama. During his spell at Barranquilla-based side between 1995 and 1994, Montecinos scored 16 goals, which allowed him to be recruited by Mexico’s Santos Laguna for the 1996–97 season. He was part of Necaxa's squad that finished third in the 2000 FIFA Club World Championship. He scored against Manchester United and South Melbourne in the group stage.

International career

Montecinos represented the Chile national side during the Copa América 2001, scoring three goals in four games.

Honours

Club

;Rangers
;Unión Española
;Junior de Barranquilla
;Santos Laguna
;Necaxa