Alberto Cifuentes MartÃÂnez (born 29 May 1979) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper, currently manager of Gibraltar Football League club St Joseph's.
Born in Albacete, CastillaâÂÂLa Mancha, Cifuentes started playing as a senior with local Albacete Balompié's reserves. On 15 November 1998, after starter Julio Iglesias was sent off early into a home game against CP Mérida, he made his debut in the Segunda División with the first team, going on to concede twice in a 0âÂÂ2 home loss.
Cifuentes spent several years of his career in the Segunda División B, representing in the second tier, other than Albacete, Ciudad de Murcia, UD Salamanca, Real Murcia CF and Cádiz CF for a total of 293 appearances. In the 2004âÂÂ05 season he was part of RCD Mallorca's La Liga roster, being only third choice behind Miguel ÃÂngel Moyá and Sander Westerveld.
Cifuentes moved abroad for the first time in summer 2014 at the age of 35, joining a host of compatriots â including manager ÃÂngel Pérez GarcÃÂa â at Polish club Piast Gliwice. He made his debut in top-flight football on 20 July of that year, starting in a 4âÂÂ0 Ekstraklasa defeat at Lech Poznaà Â. He totalled 21 games during his spell, including five for the B side.
In July 2015, Cifuentes returned to Spain after signing a contract with Cádiz CF. He played 42 matches in his debut campaign, which ended in promotion from division three.
Cifuentes rarely missed a game for the Andalusians the following seasons, notably winning the Ricardo Zamora Trophy for the category in 2017âÂÂ18. He was again instrumental as they returned to the top flight in 2020 after 14 years, still under coach ÃÂlvaro Cervera.
On 20 September 2020, aged 41, Cifuentes made his Spanish top-tier debut by starting in a 2âÂÂ0 away win against SD Huesca, becoming the oldest player to do so in the process. On 5 October, after 209 competitive games for Cádiz, he retired.
On 14 February 2021, after a spell as Cádiz sporting director, Cifuentes replaced Juan Manuel Pavón at the helm of their reserves. He left in July 2024 but continued to work in the Segunda Federación as head coach, with CF Villanovense and UD Melilla.
On 2 December 2025, Cifuentes was appointed manager of Gibraltar Football League club St Joseph's.