Victor Cristaldo

Victor Cristaldo (born 10 May 1967) is a retired Argentine-born Australian professional footballer of Paraguayan descent. He played as a midfielder. Cristaldo played two seasons for Melbourne Croatia in the National Soccer League. He later played for Club Presidente Hayes and Club Sport Colombia in the Primera División Paraguaya, becoming the first Australian to play professionally in Paraguay and the second player to play in South America under CONMEBOL affiliation after John Crawley (1990–1995 in Chile).

Cristaldo was born in Argentina to Paraguayan parents and moved to Australia at the age of 9.

He attended Flemington High School.

Club career

Cristaldo played at Leicester City for three months in 1984, scoring twelve goals in fifteen games for Leicester's reserves and youth teams.

Cristaldo started his career with Keilor, before joining Melbourne Croatia in the National Soccer League in 1985. He was a member of the team's squad for the 1985 and 1986 seasons. In 1986, whilst playing for Melbourne Croatia, he was called up to the Argentine Air Force.

Victor next played for Thomastown, from 1988. He remained at the club until 1992.

In 1993, Cristaldo joined Primera División Paraguaya club Presidente Hayes based in the city of Asunción. "It's like a dream come true", he told Laurie Schwab, reported of The Age, "but financially, It's just not possible". His wages in Paraguay were more than three times higher than they were in Melbourne and the cost of living in Paraguay is much lower. He and his wife, Cynthia, bought a house and the club had supplied them with a car. Cristaldo hoped that during the Paraguayan off-season that an Australian NSL club would at the very least give him a guest stint.

Cristaldo played for Western Suburbs in the Victorian State League Division 1 in 1996, scoring two goals.

In 1996, Cristaldo returned to Paraguay to play for Club Sport Colombia where he stayed until 1997, when he moved to Club Presidente Hayes. When the player transfer from Sport Colombia to Presidente Hayes, Paulo da Silva transfer from Presidente Hayes to Sport Colombia.

He returned to Western Suburbs in 1998.

International career

Cristaldo had represented Australia at youth level and whilst in Paraguay in 1993 hoped that his success there would prompt the then Australia national team coach, Eddie Thomson, to consider adding him to the squad.

Cristaldo moved into coaching after retiring as a player. He has had roles at a number of clubs including Monash City and Sunshine George Cross.

Victor's son Christopher is also a professional footballer, and has appeared for Australia U-20 and for Melbourne Victory !Melbourne Victory in the A-League.