Christian Cueva

Universidad San Martín 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. With Universidad San Martín, he won the 2008 and 2010 Torneo Descentralizado.

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 In November, however, his contract was rescinded by the club after a series of indiscipline problems.

Unión Española On 24 January 2013, after being linked to a move to Ponte Preta, he was announced at Chilean Primera División side Unión Española. He won the Chilean First Division in 2013 with Unión Española.

Rayo Vallecano (loan) 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.

Alianza Lima 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.

Toluca 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.

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

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.

Krasnodar

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

Santos 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.

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

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

Al-Fateh 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.

Alianza Lima (loan) On 13 March 2023, Cueva returned to Peruvian Liga 1 club Alianza Lima.

Cienciano In September 2024 he signed for Cienciano. He distinguished himself at the 2015 Copa Sudamericana, where he led his team to the round of 16.

Emelec In May 2025, he left Cienciano and signed with Emelec in Ecuador.

Juan Pablo II College In December 2025 Cueva returned to Peru and signed with Juan Pablo II College, to play in the 2026 Peruvian championship.

International career

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.

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.

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. 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.

On 30 May 2019, he was selected in the Peruvian squad for the 2019 Copa América. He featured in the tournament's final which resulted in a 3–1 defeat against the host nation Brazil. On 10 June 2021, he was called up for the 2021 Copa América, where his country managed to reach the semi-finals of the competition.

On 15 June 2024, he was included in the 26-man squad for the 2024 Copa América. On 29 June, he earned his 100th international cap in a 2–0 defeat against Argentina in the last group stage match of the tournament.

Style of play 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. A good dribbler, he is known for his change of pace over short distances and his ability to manage himself well in tight spaces. His playing style has drawn comparisons with that of Brazilian playmaker Paulo Henrique Ganso, who plays for Sevilla, as Cueva occupies a similar function for São Paulo, in the way that he tends to move more through the pitch, making attacking runs into the rival area, scoring goals, and occasionally also helping out defensively by marking opponents. In his side's 4–0 victory against rivals Corinthians on 5 November 2016, Cueva demonstrated his great talent by netting a goal and providing three assists for his teammates David Neres, Chávez and Luiz Araújo.

Career statistics Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals

2011

2012

Tercera División

2014

2015

2018

Santos (loan) 2019 Série A

Unión Española

Primera División de Chile: 2013

Individual Copa América Team of the Tournament: 2015 Campeonato Paulista Team of the year: 2017

Personal life

Cueva's wife filed a complaint against him, making allegations of violence.