Cristian Portilla Rodríguez

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Cristian Portilla is an attacking midfielder who plays for Racing Santander. He had started his football career playing for his uncle and father's team. There he played in a Spanish juvenile tournament and was spotted by larger clubs. As he was about to leave the tournament, a scout from Deportivo caught up with him and offered him a trial, but his father disagreed and said the boy was too young to start playing football seriously. Cristian was only nine years old at the time. Two years later, Racing learned of his talent, and signed him -- as well as his cousin, Carlos Mata -- to their youth team. Cristian had lived with his cousin Carlos all his life, making it a special occasion for his uncle and father that both were chosen for the team.

While Portilla has become a star for Racing, Mata has not progressed as well, and now plays for CD Numancia in the second division.