Ted Lasso Actor Cristo Fernandez Makes Professional Soccer Debut at Age 35
Cristo Fernandez, the 35-year-old Mexican actor who played Dani Rojas on *Ted Lasso*, made his professional soccer debut on July 11, 2026, for El Paso Locomotive FC in the USL Championship. He entered as a 79th-minute substitute against New Mexico United, received a yellow card, and had three touches in a 2-0 loss. Fernandez, a former youth player for Tecos FC whose career was derailed by injury, signed with the Texas club in May after a trial.
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Ted Lasso Actor Cristo Fernandez Makes Professional Football Debut at Age 35
Cristo Fernandez, the Mexican actor known for playing Dani Rojas in the Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso, made his professional football debut on July 13, 2026, at age 35. He signed with El Paso Locomotive FC in the USL Championship, the American second division. Fernandez entered the match in the 79th minute wearing jersey number 91, though his team lost 2-0 and he received a yellow card. The actor had trained in the youth system of Mexican club Tecos before injuries forced him into acting. After intense preparation with specialists, he earned a trial with El Paso's reserve team and impressed enough to secure a professional contract. Fernandez has long stated that 'football is life,' and this debut marks the fulfillment of a lifelong dream he had set aside due to injury.
Home Football - actualitésTed Lasso Actor Cristo Fernandez Makes Professional Soccer Debut in USL Championship
Cristo Fernandez, the Mexican actor known for playing Dani Rojas in the Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso, made his professional soccer debut on Saturday night with El Paso Locomotive FC in the USL Championship, the second tier of American soccer. Coming on as a substitute in the 79th minute during a 0-2 loss to New Mexico United in the USL Cup group stage, Fernandez received a yellow card eight minutes later. The 35-year-old had trained at Tecos FC in Mexico but injuries forced him to pursue acting. After resuming training last year, he earned trials with Chicago Fire's reserve team and then El Paso, where he signed two months ago. Fernandez told ESPN that football has given him both the best and saddest moments, echoing his character's iconic line 'Football is life.' It remains unclear if he will return for Season 4 of Ted Lasso.
Foot - actualités, mercato, info & vidéo en continuTed Lasso actor Cristo Fernandez makes professional football debut for El Paso Locomotive
Cristo Fernandez, the 35-year-old Mexican actor who played Dani Rojas in the Apple TV series Ted Lasso, made his professional football debut on Sunday for USL Championship side El Paso Locomotive. He came on as a 79th-minute substitute in a 2-0 loss to New Mexico United and received a yellow card in the 87th minute for a foul. Fernandez, who played youth football in Guadalajara before quitting at age 15 due to a knee injury, signed with the Texas-based club in May after a two-month trial. He had three touches during his brief debut. The fourth series of Ted Lasso is set to premiere on Apple TV on August 5.
BBC SportTed Lasso actor Cristo Fernandez makes professional football debut for El Paso Locomotive
Cristo Fernandez, the 35-year-old Mexican actor who played Dani Rojas in the Apple TV series Ted Lasso, made his professional football debut on Sunday for USL Championship side El Paso Locomotive. He came on as a 79th-minute substitute in a 2-0 loss to New Mexico United and received a yellow card in the 87th minute. Fernandez, who played youth football in Guadalajara before a knee injury ended his early career, signed with the Texas-based club in May after a two-month trial. He had three touches during his short debut. The actor, known for his character's catchphrase 'Football is life,' described his return to professional soccer as about believing in yourself and chasing dreams. The fourth series of Ted Lasso is set to premiere on Apple TV on August 5.
BBC SportTed Lasso actor Cristo Fernandez makes professional soccer debut in USL
Cristo Fernandez, known for playing Danny Rojas on the TV series 'Ted Lasso,' made his professional soccer debut on July 11, 2026, for El Paso Locomotive in a USL Cup match against New Mexico United. The 35-year-old actor subbed into the game in the 79th minute and received a yellow card during a 2-0 defeat. Fernandez was an accomplished youth player with Tecos FC in Liga MX before injuries ended his playing career and led him to acting. He tried out for the Chicago Fire's reserve squad earlier in 2026, which led to a tryout with El Paso and a contract. His 'Ted Lasso' character's catchphrase 'Football is life!' was echoed in a May interview where he reflected on football's emotional significance in his life.
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