Cristian Benavente

Cristian Benavente Bristol is a Peruvian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Sporting Cristal. Born in Spain, he played for the Peru national team.

Club career

Born in Alcalá de Henares, to Peruvian parents of Quechua descent. Benavente joined Real Madrid's youth system in 2002, aged 8. In the 2013 summer, while still a junior, he was named to Real Madrid Castilla's pre-season squad for the 2012–13 season. In the same campaign he also was Juvenil A topscorer, netting 18 goals.
In July 2013, Benavente was promoted to Castilla, and made his professional debut on 24 August, playing the last 11 minutes of a 0–1 home loss against AD Alcorcón, in the Segunda División championship.

On 17 July 2015, Benavente joined English Championship club Milton Keynes Dons, signing a two-year deal on a free transfer. On 11 August 2015, Benavente made his debut in a 2–1 League Cup first round win over Leyton Orient. On 5 January 2016, following limited first team opportunities, Benavente was released from the club.

Benavente then signed for Belgian club Charleroi in 2016.

In January 2019, he moved to Egyptian club Pyramids FC.

In August 2019, he was loaned to French club FC Nantes

In October 2020, he was loaned out to Belgian side Royal Antwerp On 31 January 2021, Benavente left Royal Antwerp, due to a lack of playing time.

On 1 February 2021, Benavente moved to Belgium club Charleroi, on a loan deal with an option to buy.

In February 2022, Benavente was signed for Peruvian club Alianza Lima. He scored in his debut.

After appearing with the under-17 and under-20 teams, Benavente made his full squad debut on 18 April 2013, as a half-time substitute in a 0–0 friendly draw against Mexico at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. He scored his first international goal on 1 June 2013, the winner in a 2–1 victory over Panama.

His mother, Magali Bristol, was a retired volleyball player for Peru's U15 and U20 teams, and is a part owner of Zest nightclub in Ipswich.

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	1 June 2013	Estadio Rommel Fernández, Panama City, Panama		2–1	2–1	Friendly
2	23 May 2016	Estadio Nacional, Lima, Peru		4–0	4–0	Friendly