Cristian Martínez has built a professional career that has taken him from the streets of Panama City to Major League Soccer, Spanish football, and now the Israeli Premier League.
The Panamanian defensive midfielder has represented his country on the international stage and racked up appearances across four continents.
So what is Cristian Martínez’s net worth, and how much has he earned across his decade-long career? Here is everything you need to know.
Cristian Martínez’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Cristian Jesús Martínez |
| Date of Birth | February 6, 1997 |
| Age | 29 |
| Place of Birth | Panama City, Panama |
| Nationality | Panamanian |
| Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) |
| Weight | 79 kg (174 lbs) |
| Position | Defensive Midfielder |
| Current Club | Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona (Israel) |
| Turned Professional | 2013 |
| Net Worth | Estimated $1 million |
| Market Value | €750,000 (Transfermarkt, 2025) |
Early Life and Career
Cristian Jesús Martínez was born on February 6, 1997, in Panama City, Panama. He grew up with a passion for football that he channeled through the youth setup at Chorrillo FC, one of the most established clubs in Panamanian football.
He joined Chorrillo’s Under-9 squad as a young child and worked his way steadily through the youth ranks over the following years.
Martínez made his senior debut for Chorrillo in 2013 at just 16 years old, beginning what would become a five-year association with the club.
His idol growing up was Brazilian midfielder Kaká, and that influence shows in his technical, press-resistant style of play in the center of the park.
Outside of football, Martínez is the oldest of four siblings, with two younger brothers and a younger sister.
He has spoken about enjoying dancing, listening to music, and playing the FIFA video game franchise in his downtime — interests that reflect a grounded, family-oriented upbringing in Panama City.
His rapid development at Chorrillo attracted attention from clubs abroad, and by 2016, he had earned an opportunity to test himself in North America with Columbus Crew SC of Major League Soccer.
Professional Career
Martínez’s professional journey has covered an impressive amount of ground. He began at Chorrillo FC in the Panamanian top flight, making 37 appearances and recording three goals and one assist before earning a loan move to Columbus Crew SC in May 2016.
He made an immediate impact in MLS, scoring in stoppage time on his debut at Philadelphia Union to become the youngest Columbus Crew player to score in a regular-season match.
After a permanent transfer to Crew SC in January 2017, he spent three seasons with the club and made 27 league appearances.
A brief stint at FC Cincinnati on loan followed before Chicago Fire FC selected him with the fourth overall pick in the 2018 MLS Waiver Draft.
As documented by the Chicago Fire FC official website, his 2019 season with the Fire included a loan spell to Las Vegas Lights FC of the USL, where he recorded nine appearances and two goals.
In 2020, Martínez moved to Europe, signing with Cádiz CF’s reserve side, Cádiz B, in Spain’s lower divisions. Loan stints took him to Recreativo de Huelva, Plaza Amador back in Panama, and Venezuelan club Monagas SC.
After a brief stint in Saudi Arabia with Najran SC in 2023, he joined CD Plaza Amador on a permanent basis before making the move to the Israeli Premier League. According to Transfermarkt’s player profile, Martínez signed a permanent deal with Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona in July 2025, with his contract running through June 2027.
In the 2025/26 Ligat Ha’al season, he has been one of the club’s most consistent performers, recording four goals and 1,853 minutes played — strong output for a defensive midfielder.
At the international level, Martínez made his senior debut for Panama in a 1-0 victory over El Salvador in February 2016. He was named in Panama’s preliminary 35-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, though he did not make the final 23-man cut.
He has continued to be called up regularly and featured in Panama’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign.
Cristian Martínez’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Cristian Martínez has an estimated net worth of $1 million.
He built this wealth through professional contracts across Panama, the United States, Spain, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, and Israel over more than a decade of senior football.
Contract
Martínez currently holds a contract with Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona in the Israeli Premier League (Ligat Ha’al).
According to Transfermarkt, he signed the deal on July 1, 2025, with the agreement running through June 30, 2027.
His current market value is listed at €750,000, reflecting his status as an experienced, versatile defensive midfielder at the top level of Israeli football.
Salary
Exact salary figures for Martínez’s current deal in Israel have not been publicly disclosed.
For context, MLS player salary data from his time in North America — which is publicly released by the MLS Players Association — shows that younger international players at his career stage typically earned in the range of $80,000–$150,000 annually in guaranteed compensation.
His contracts in Spain’s lower divisions and in South America would have been modest by European standards.
His current Israeli Premier League deal, combined with his market value of €750,000, suggests annual earnings in the range of €150,000–€250,000.
Career Earnings by Year
| Period | Club | Estimated Annual Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 2013–2016 | Chorrillo FC (Panama) | ~$10,000–$15,000 |
| 2016–2017 | Columbus Crew SC (loan/permanent) | ~$80,000–$100,000 |
| 2017–2018 | Columbus Crew SC | ~$100,000–$120,000 |
| 2019 | Chicago Fire FC / Las Vegas Lights | ~$100,000–$130,000 |
| 2020–2023 | Cádiz B / Loans (Spain, Panama, Venezuela) | ~$50,000–$80,000 |
| 2023 | Najran SC (Saudi Arabia) | ~$80,000–$120,000 |
| 2023–2025 | CD Plaza Amador / Al-Jandal / Kiryat Shmona (loan) | ~$80,000–$150,000 |
| 2025–2026 | Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona (permanent) | ~$150,000–$250,000 |
Career Statistics
Club Career
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013–2016 | Chorrillo FC | Liga Panameña | 37 | 3 | 1 |
| 2016 | Columbus Crew SC (loan) | MLS | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| 2016 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds (loan) | USL | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | Columbus Crew SC | MLS | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | FC Cincinnati (loan) | USL | — | — | — |
| 2018 | Columbus Crew SC | MLS | 14 | 0 | 2 |
| 2019 | Chicago Fire FC | MLS | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | Las Vegas Lights FC (loan) | USL | 9 | 2 | 0 |
| 2020–2022 | Cádiz B / Recreativo Huelva | Segunda B / Tercera | — | — | — |
| 2022–2023 | Monagas SC (loan) | Venezuelan PD | — | — | — |
| 2023–2025 | Plaza Amador / Al-Jandal | Various | — | — | — |
| 2024–2025 | Ironi Kiryat Shmona (loan) | Ligat Ha’al | — | — | — |
| 2025–26 | Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona | Ligat Ha’al | 20+ | 4 | 0 |
International Career
| Team | Period | Caps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panama U20 | 2017 | — | 1 (friendly) |
| Panama (Senior) | 2016– | 36+ | 0 |
FAQs
What is Cristian Martínez’s net worth?
Cristian Martínez has an estimated net worth of $1 million. He accumulated this through professional contracts in Panama, MLS, Spain, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, and Israel over his career.
Which club does Cristian Martínez play?
He plays for Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona in the Israeli Premier League. He signed a permanent deal with the club in July 2025, with his contract running through June 2027.
Did Cristian Martínez play in the FIFA World Cup?
He was named in Panama’s preliminary 35-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia but did not make the final 23-man squad. He has continued to represent Panama at international level since.
How many international caps does Cristian Martínez have for Panama?
He has earned more than 36 caps for the Panamanian senior national team since making his debut in February 2016. He has been a regular fixture in Panama’s midfield across World Cup qualifying campaigns.
What is Cristian Martínez’s market value?
His current market value is €750,000, according to Transfermarkt’s 2025 update. This reflects his experience in the Israeli top flight and his consistent performances as a defensive midfielder for Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona.
