Cristo Fernandez, who gained fame on football comedy series Ted Lasso for his “Football is life!” mantra, has finally made his professional soccer debut.
The 35-year-old took the pitch for American second division side El Paso Locomotive on Sunday in the 79th minute of their clash against New Mexico United.
Fernandez, who played Dani Rojas in the Jason Sudeikis-led comedy series from 2020 to 2023, was signed on a two-year deal by the Texas-based side in May, according to the BBC.
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Despite the constantly upbeat nature of his character Rojas, it was an unhappy outing for Fernandez during the side’s 2-0 USL Cup loss to rivals New Mexico United.
Fernandez received a yellow card for a foul on United goalkeeper Kris Shakes in the 87th minute.
Fernandez was seen as a rising star of youth football in his Mexican hometown of Guadalajara after spending time with in the youth ranks of former Liga MX side Tecos.
However, injuries in his early 20s soon derailed his footballing dreams.
His background on the pitch led to his inclusion in the cast of Ted Lasso, the AppleTV series in which Sudeikis plays a US high school gridiron coach tasked with turning around the fortunes of a fictional second division UK side.
In 2025 he started his real-life return to the sport with performance coaches and physical therapists, culminating in a 2026 trial with MLS’ Chicago Fire’s reserve side and then a subsequent trial with El Paso.
“Football has given me both the best moments, the sad moments,” he told ESPN in May. “I guess that’s why, for me, football is life.”
