Ted Lasso star Cristo Fernandez swapped London for the Lone Star State and made his professional soccer debut for El Paso Locomotive FC.
The actor, who plays legendary striker Dani Rojas in the hit Apple TV+ series, signed with the Texas USL Championship club in May.
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Fernandez, 35, was born in Guadalajara, and grew up playing soccer in Mexico and Puerto Rico, but an injury in his 20s derailed his dreams and led him to switch to acting.
After appearing in many indie films, he found his leading role in Ted Lasso and appeared as a passionate player of AFC Richmond Rojas in all three seasons of the game, from 2020 to 2023.
Dani’s motto ‘football is life’ rings true for Fernandez as well.
Ted Lasso star makes professional soccer debut, picks up yellow and loses
He entered the Locomotive stadium in the United Soccer League Cup game on Saturday night against New Mexico United.
Fernandez, who wears the No. 91 jersey, was replaced by forward Rubio Rubin in the 79th minute of the game at Southwest University Park.
More than 5,000 fans were present as Locomotive lost 2-0.
Fernandez received a yellow card on his debut, and has admitted that he will face pressure to perform given his on-screen duties in Ted Lasso.
“I understand the pressure, but I think there’s always pressure, even in anything I’ve done in my life,” he told ESPN earlier this year.
“I think of myself as a hard-working man, and I’ve never been the best at anything, but I always give my best and work hard.”
As an actress, Fernandez has built up close to 500,000 followers on Instagram.
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But he never really gave up on his dream of playing professional football.
Ted Lasso star Cristo Fernandez has an impressive sports background
When he was younger, Fernandez had a stint at the former Tecos of Liga MX.
He first injured his knee when he was 19, and further problems followed in his early 20s.
After a season in Puerto Rico, Fernandez knew it was impossible to make it as a soccer player.
He already has a successful acting career, which includes appearances in Spider-Man: No Way Home, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts and Venom: The Last Dance, as well as Ted Lasso.
But soccer soon returned, and after a conversation with friend and former Mexican national team captain Andres Guardado, Fernandez began working with a play coach, physical therapist and soccer clinic in 2025.
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He began trial with Chicago Fire FC II, the Chicago Fire’s reserve side of the MLS, earlier this year.
That effort eventually led to his chance with second team El Paso.
Fernandez signed in May, following a two-month trial.
“Football has always been a big part of my life and who I am, and no matter where life has taken me, the dream of competing professionally has never left my heart,” he said at the time.
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“I’m very grateful to El Paso Locomotive FC — the club, the coaches, the staff, especially my teammates — for opening their doors and giving me the opportunity to compete from day one.”
Fernandez’s debut marks another remarkable turn in what has been an impressive career so far.
He may not walk onto the field at AFC Richmond with Rojas on his back again, but his No. 91 jersey may become a familiar sight in Texas.
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