After an unconvincing first spell in Europe, Cris quickly imposed himself at the heart of Lyon's defense. His first season in Ligue 1 saw the club crowned league champions and Cris was selected to the UNFP Ligue 1 Team of the Year. His second season was one of consolidation: Cris again had an excellent season with Lyon leaving no doubt as to his overall class. He was crowned "étoile d'or" ("Gold Star") by "France Football" magazine. The newspaper "L'Equipe" considered him the best defender of the 2005–06 season and he was once more voted to the Ligue 1 Team of the Year by his fellow professionals. This season earned him an upwardly revised salary as well as a one-year extension to his contract, tying him to the French club until 2010. Cris later extended his contract an additional year, keeping him at Lyon until 2011.