Christian Cueva

Christian Alberto Cueva Bravo (born 23 November 1991) is a Peruvian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Alianza Lima on loan from Saudi club Al-Fateh, and the Peru national team.

In August 2007, he played for a Huamachuco representative side in a friendly against Universidad San Martín, impressing enough to secure a subsequent move to the club's under-20 side.

On 12 April 2008, aged only 16, Cueva made his first team – and Torneo Descentralizado – debut, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 3–1 away loss against Universidad César Vallejo.

Cueva finished his first senior season with two goals in 18 appearances, as his side was crowned champions.

He only became a regular starter for the side from the 2010 season onwards, and finished his spell at the club with 20 goals in 121 league appearances.

Cueva represented Peru at under-20 level in the 2011 South American Youth Championship.

He made his full international debut on 1 June 2011, starting in a 0–0 draw against Japan, for the year's Kirin Cup.

On 3 August 2012, Cueva moved to fellow first division side César Vallejo.

In November, however, his contract was rescinded by the club after a series of indiscipline problems.

On 24 January 2013, after being linked to a move to Ponte Preta, he was announced at Chilean Primera División side Unión Española.

On 13 August 2013, Cueva joined La Liga club Rayo Vallecano on a one-year loan deal.

On 1 March 2014, after being rarely used by manager Paco Jémez, Cueva was assigned to the reserves in Tercera División.

On his debut for the B-team nine days later, he scored a hat-trick in a 3–2 defeat of Internacional de Madrid.

On 18 August 2014, free agent Cueva returned to his home country after agreeing to an 18-month contract with Alianza Lima.

A regular starter during the 2014 Clausura Tournament, he was handed a six-match suspension after being sent off in a 1–0 loss to Real Garcilaso for the 2015 Apertura Tournament; the sentence was later reduced to three matches.

Cueva was a member of the Peru national team that finished in third place at the 2015 Copa América and runners-up at the 2019 Copa América, also taking part at the Copa América Centenario, the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2021 Copa América.

Born in Trujillo, Cueva started his career playing for amateurs Instituto Pedagógico Nacional Monterrico, at the age of 14.

On 18 July 2015, Cueva signed for Mexican club Toluca.

He made his debut for the club on 29 July, replacing Diego Aguilar in a 4–3 home defeat of Necaxa, for the year's Copa Mexico.

Cueva was included in Peru's squad for the 2015 Copa América, and scored the team's opening goal of the tournament in a 2–1 loss to Brazil.

He was an undisputed starter during the tournament, helping his side finish in the third place and being named one of the best midfielders of the competition.

On 2 June 2016, Cueva signed a four-year contract with Brazilian side São Paulo FC.

Cueva was also named in Ricardo Gareca's squad for the Copa América Centenario, and scored the opening goal in an eventual 2–2 draw against Ecuador at University of Phoenix Stadium on 8 June 2016.

However, in the quarter-finals against Colombia, the match went to a penalty shoot-out, and Cueva missed his spot kick as his side were eliminated 4–2 as a result of this.

On 22 February 2017, Cueva extended his contract until 2021.

However, he subsequently had multiple indiscipline problems, being fined twice and having a face off with teammate Rodrigo Caio due to the club's poor results.

On 19 July 2018, Cueva signed a four-year contract with the Russian Premier League club FC Krasnodar.

He was also a first-choice during the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, helping his side qualify to the final stage after a 36-year absence.

On 4 June 2018, Cueva was named in Peru's provisional 23-man squad for the World Cup in Russia.

With Peru, Cueva usually plays in an offensive midfield role through the centre of the pitch, for his club sides, such as Toluca, he plays more frequently on the flank, mainly on the left wing.

On 7 February 2019, Cueva returned to Brazil after agreeing to a one-year loan deal with Santos FC, with an obligation to buy on a three-year contract on 31 January 2020, for an estimated fee of € 6 million.

In September 2019, Cueva was caught fighting on a nightclub in Santos, being subsequently dropped from the first team squad.

Santos president José Carlos Peres later requested the lining up of Cueva in a TV interview, which was later dismissed by the club's director of football Paulo Autuori.

Despite appearing on time for the 2020 pre-season, Cueva left Santos in late January, being later found in Argentina; in the meantime, Santos tried to negotiate the player San Lorenzo unsuccessfully.

Cueva later attempted to rescind his contract with the club through FIFA, after alleging unpaid wages; he also reached an agreement with Pachuca.

On 14 February 2020, FIFA authorized Cueva to play for the Mexican club, while also authorizing Santos to charge for a restitution fee for his transfer.

On 15 February 2020, after FIFA's clearance, Pachuca announced the signing of Cueva.

In August 2020, Cueva moved to Turkish club Yeni Malatyaspor.

In January 2021, Cueva moved to Saudi Arabian club Al-Fateh.

On 4 February 2021, he made his debut for Al-Fateh in a 4–1 away loss against Al-Ittihad.