Cristian Martins Cabral (born 28 August 1979 in Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul), simply known as Cristian, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder. Career Early career Cristian started his professional career on Velo Clube, a club from Rio Claro, São Paulo. During the period of 1999-2004 he got some highlight while playing the Campeonato Paulista, which lately earned him spells in other traditional clubs such as Guarani, Juventus and Ituano. Playing for Ituano, where he played the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie B, he started to get the spotlights. In 2004, he was then sold to Paraná. Paraná Hired by the club, Cristian soon started to highlight himself in the team, where he played the Campeonato Paranaense, Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A and Copa Sudamericana of that year. Besides of Paraná's only regular season in Serie A, it was in the club where his career was launched on national range. Due to his performance and regularity on that year, he was nominated for Bola de Prata (Silver Ball) award by Placar Magazine as best midfielder. His good plays soon drew attention of big Brazilian clubs and also from Europe, which disputed his hiring. Until finally in January 2005 he was hired by Palmeiras. Cristian would return to Paraná in 2008, where he played the Campeonato Paranaense and Campeonato Brasileiro Serie B of that year. Palmeiras On Palmeiras, Cristian arrived as a big promise due to his performance on last year. During his spell in the club, he played the Campeonato Paulista in 2005 and 2006; Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A and Copa Libertadores. The player always had good presentations while playing for the club. However, due to the 1st team concurrence (specially with Juninho Paulista) he ended up not being much used and by the second half of 2006 he went to Coritiba on loan. Coritiba Cristian arrived on Coritiba with the mission to return the club to the Serie A of Campeonato Brasileiro, because the club was relegated to Serie B in 2005. The player was one of the most important players in the squad and was constantly criticized by Coritiba fans (sometimes in excess). However, on that year the club ended up in 6th and was not promoted to Serie A again. Cristian did not have his contract renewed and was then repassed on loan to Náutico. Fortaleza After a brief spell on Náutico, where he played the