San Fernando, Cádiz
Maldonado, a product of Real Betis's youth system, was born in San Fernando, Cádiz, and played for the Andalusia club four seasons, making his La Liga debut on 8 February 2003 by featuring 15 minutes in a 1–4 away loss against Real Madrid. He would only appear in four games in two seasons combined before moving to AD Ceuta and then Lorca Deportiva CF, completing successful loan spells.