Cristóbal Muñoz

Cristóbal Muñoz López (born 1 February 2005) is a Spanish professional footballer currently playing as a forward or midfielder for Barcelona.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Muñoz and the second or maternal family name is López.
Cristóbal Muñoz
Personal information
Full name Cristóbal Muñoz López
Date of birth (2005-02-01) 1 February 2005
Place of birth Almería, Spain
Position(s) Forward, midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Barcelona
Youth career
Years Team
2012–2016 Almería
2016–2017 Málaga
2016–2017 → Pavía
2017– Barcelona

Club career

Born in Almería, Muñoz started playing football at his school, Colegio La Jarilla, before joining local side Almería in 2012.[1] In 2016, he made the move to Pavía, signing an agreement with parent club Málaga to be able to represent both.[1][2] He alternated between Pavía, where he scored 41 goals for the youth team, and Málaga, who he represented in youth tournaments.[2][3]

As Muñoz developed in the Málaga academy, other top Spanish clubs became aware of his ability. This caused Málaga owner, Sheikh Abdullah Al Thani, to offer Muñoz a blank cheque in order for him to remain at the club.[4] However, after receiving offers from Real Madrid and Barcelona, Muñoz decided to sign for the latter in early 2017.[2]

In December 2017, he was named the best player at the LaLiga Promises tournament in Arona.[4][5] This led to comparisons to Barcelona legend Lionel Messi, for their similar style of play.[6]

In August 2021, he signed his first professional contract with Barcelona, tying him to the club until June 2024.[1]

Personal life

Muñoz's brother, Kike, is also a footballer, and plays for Almería.[6]

References
  1. Gascón, Javier (19 August 2021). "Cristo Muñoz, más talento que sigue en el Barça como juvenil" [Cristo Muñoz, more talent that continues at Barça as a youth]. mundodeportivo.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  2. Rogé, Albert (11 March 2017). "El Barça ficha a la perla más buscada de España" [Barça signs the most sought-after pearl in Spain]. sport.es (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  3. Miralles, Carlos (29 December 2017). "El futbol canterano se rinde a Cristo Muñoz" [Homegrown football surrenders to Cristo Muñoz]. lavozdealmeria.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  4. Rogé, Albert (29 December 2017). "Cristóbal Muñoz, el niño que rechazó al Jeque para jugar en el Barça" [Cristóbal Muñoz, the boy who rejected the Sheikh to play for Barça]. sport.es (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  5. Mata, Jesús (30 December 2017). "Cristo, la perla azulgrana que hizo doblete: Pichichi y MVP" [Cristo, the azulgrana pearl who scored a double: Pichichi and MVP]. marca.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  6. Rogé, Albert (30 December 2018). "Cristóbal Muñoz, ojito derecho de La Masia" [Cristóbal Muñoz, right eye of La Masia]. sport.es (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 November 2022.
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