Football is life! Ted Lasso's Cristo Fernandez makes real-life football debut in US
Ted Lasso actor Cristo Fernandez made his US professional football debut for El Paso Locomotive FC in a 2-0 home defeat to New Mexico United. The appearance echoed his role as Dani Rojas and marked his return to the professional game after injury.
Actor Cristo Fernndez, best known for playing Dani Rojas in Ted Lasso, made his professional football debut in the United States on Saturday for El Paso Locomotive FC, in a development that mirrors his on-screen role. The Texas side, which he joined in May, lost 2-0 to New Mexico United in a United Soccer League Cup match at Southwest University Park.
Fernndez portrayed the cheerful Mexican forward in the Apple TV+ series, appearing in recurring roles in Seasons 1 and 2 and in Season 3. In Ted Lasso, Dani Rojas joins midway through the first season after recovering from an injury, while Fernndez stepped on to the pitch in real life before a crowd of more than 5,000 fans on Saturday.
The actor came on as a substitute for forward Rubio Rubn in the 79th minute of El Paso’s home match. Before his acting career, Fernndez had played for Tecos FC at youth level, but an injury halted his progress. He signed with El Paso Locomotive FC in May after a two-month trial.
At the time of his signing, Fernandez, while speaking to Deadline, said, “Football has always been a huge part of my life and identity, and no matter where life has taken me, the dream of competing professionally never truly left my heart. I’m incredibly grateful to El Paso Locomotive FC – the club, coaches, staff, and especially my teammates – for opening the doors and giving me the opportunity to compete from day one.”
He added: “This journey back to professional football is about believing in yourself, taking risks, and continuing to chase your dreams no matter how unexpected the path may be. Because as we say in Mexico: hay que seguirle echando ganas (let’s keep giving it our all). Siempre agradecido con Dios, mi familia y amistades por creer en m (Always grateful to God, my family, and friends for believing in me). Maybe I’m just a crazy man with crazy dreams so being here with the ‘Locos’ actually makes perfect sense. Vamos Locos (Let us go crazy)!”
As Fernndez begins his first season with the Locos, it remains unclear whether he will reprise the role of Dani Rojas in Season 4 of Ted Lasso, which premieres on August 5 on Apple TV+. With the storyline now focused on a women’s team, Fernndez and some of his on-screen teammates could make guest appearances.
Actor Cristo Fernndez, best known for playing Dani Rojas in Ted Lasso, made his professional football debut in the United States on Saturday for El Paso Locomotive FC, in a development that mirrors his on-screen role. The Texas side, which he joined in May, lost 2-0 to New Mexico United in a United Soccer League Cup match at Southwest University Park.
Fernndez portrayed the cheerful Mexican forward in the Apple TV+ series, appearing in recurring roles in Seasons 1 and 2 and in Season 3. In Ted Lasso, Dani Rojas joins midway through the first season after recovering from an injury, while Fernndez stepped on to the pitch in real life before a crowd of more than 5,000 fans on Saturday.
The actor came on as a substitute for forward Rubio Rubn in the 79th minute of El Paso’s home match. Before his acting career, Fernndez had played for Tecos FC at youth level, but an injury halted his progress. He signed with El Paso Locomotive FC in May after a two-month trial.
At the time of his signing, Fernandez, while speaking to Deadline, said, “Football has always been a huge part of my life and identity, and no matter where life has taken me, the dream of competing professionally never truly left my heart. I’m incredibly grateful to El Paso Locomotive FC – the club, coaches, staff, and especially my teammates – for opening the doors and giving me the opportunity to compete from day one.”
He added: “This journey back to professional football is about believing in yourself, taking risks, and continuing to chase your dreams no matter how unexpected the path may be. Because as we say in Mexico: hay que seguirle echando ganas (let’s keep giving it our all). Siempre agradecido con Dios, mi familia y amistades por creer en m (Always grateful to God, my family, and friends for believing in me). Maybe I’m just a crazy man with crazy dreams so being here with the ‘Locos’ actually makes perfect sense. Vamos Locos (Let us go crazy)!”
As Fernndez begins his first season with the Locos, it remains unclear whether he will reprise the role of Dani Rojas in Season 4 of Ted Lasso, which premieres on August 5 on Apple TV+. With the storyline now focused on a women’s team, Fernndez and some of his on-screen teammates could make guest appearances.
