Born in Iquique, Chile, he played as goalkeeper since he was five and joined hometown Deportes Iquique youth set-up aged fourteen. He was promoted to the first adult team in 2013 and his professional debut came one year later on 30 March 2014, where conceded three goals in a 3–0 away loss with Ñublense.

Prior the Youth World Cup held in Turkey, Cortés played some exhibition games, highlighting a 4–4 draw with Uzbekistan where he performed well during the ninety minutes and saved a shoot during the penalties which bring to Chile the victory. On 31 May 2015, Cortés was included by Mario Salas in the 23-man roster to face the category’s World Cup.

In 2015, he was included again in a Chilean national under-20 team roster, after being nominated by Hugo Tocalli to the South American Youth Championship in Uruguay. Cortes played in the Estadio La Corregidora in Querétaro, Mexico for the Chile national team against Mexico.