Cristo Fernández, known for playing the role of striker Dani Rojas in the hit television series Ted Lasso, made his professional football debut during El Paso Locomotive‘s USL Cup 2026 match against New Mexico United on Saturday.
The 35-year-old actor and footballer came on as a 79th-minute substitute at Southwest University Park in El Paso, Texas.
Wearing the No. 91 shirt, Fernández’s professional debut featured a yellow card as El Paso fell 2-0 to New Mexico United in a group-stage encounter.
The appearance marked the fulfilment of a long-held ambition for the Mexican actor, whose own football career was interrupted by injuries before he turned to acting.
He had signed for El Paso Locomotive, a second-tier team, two months ago.
Fernández spent part of his youth career with Tecos in Mexico before injuries in his early 20s ended his hopes of becoming a professional footballer.
Ted Lasso is an American television series, which ran from 2020 to 2023, where an American college football coach is hired to manage AFC Richmond, a fictional Premier League team. It stars Jason Sudeikis and Hannah Waddingham.
While Ted Lasso made Fernández a familiar face around the world, his portrayal of the endlessly upbeat Dani Rojas became a fan favourite.
Rojas became one of the show’s most popular characters thanks to his infectious enthusiasm and unwavering love for the game, embodied by his trademark catchphrase – fútbol is life.
Speaking to ESPN in May, Fernández said the sport had remained central to his life despite the setbacks. “Football has given me both the best moments and the sad moments. I guess that’s why, for me, football is life.”
After returning to training last year, he earned a trial with Chicago Fire II before impressing during a subsequent trial with El Paso, which led to a professional contract earlier this year.
read more: https://www.olympics.com/en/news/ted-lasso-actor-cristo-fernandez-professional-football-debut
