'Ted Lasso' Star Cristo Fernández Is Officially Playing Professional Football for El Paso Locomotive FC

Summary

• Mexican actor Cristo Fernández, universally recognized as Dani Rojas from the hit Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso, has officially signed a professional contract with USL Championship squad El Paso Locomotive FC
• The 35-year-old forward secured his spot on the second-tier American roster following an extensive two-month trial, which included valuable minutes in a preseason clash against New Mexico United
• Before stepping into the Hollywood spotlight, the Guadalajara native spent his youth career competing for Mexico’s Tecos FC before a knee injury temporarily derailed his athletic trajectory at age 15

Life imitates art in the most literal way possible for Cristo Fernández. The charismatic Mexican actor, who skyrocketed to global fame playing the perpetually optimistic striker Dani Rojas on Apple TV’s hit series Ted Lasso, is officially trading studio soundstages for the pitch. Merging his on-screen persona with real-world athletic ambition, the 35-year-old forward has penned a professional soccer contract with El Paso Locomotive FC. The landmark deal arrives after a grueling two-month trial period where the entertainer proved his mettle, cementing his place on the squad and even lacing up his boots for a preseason matchup against New Mexico United.

This unexpected pivot represents a massive personal triumph and a full-circle moment for the Guadalajara native. Long before delivering his iconic “fútbol is life” catchphrase to millions of streaming viewers, the athlete cut his teeth at the youth academy level for Tecos FC in Mexico’s top division. A devastating injury forced him to step away from the sport at just 15 years old, pushing him toward a wildly successful cinematic career instead. Now, leveraging the massive cultural momentum of his television success, Fernández has engineered a rare Hollywood-to-sports crossover that defies traditional boundaries and revitalizes his original passion.

Securing a legitimate spot in the USL Championship requires considerably more than just celebrity status, and team management insists their new attacker earned his jersey. El Paso’s head coach emphasized that the veteran rookie brings genuine fire and vital locker-room leadership to help cultivate a winning mentality. Addressing his fanbase and the club organization, Fernández expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to revive his dormant athletic dreams. He encouraged supporters to embrace risk and chase their goals unconditionally, signing off with a nod to his heritage by declaring “hay que seguirle echando ganas”—a potent reminder to keep giving it everything.