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- Primary Subject: Cristo Fernández (Dani Rojas in Ted Lasso)
- Key Update: Actor Cristo Fernández made his official, real-life professional soccer debut as a 79th-minute substitute for USL Championship side El Paso Locomotive FC.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: July 13, 2026
- Quick Answer: Ted Lasso star Cristo Fernández made his professional soccer debut for El Paso Locomotive FC on July 11, 2026, playing the final 11 minutes.
In a hard-hitting life twist that has left sports and television fans alike completely thrilled, actor Cristo Fernández, who famously played AFC Richmond's relentlessly joyous striker Dani Rojas, just lived out his own on-screen catchphrase.
Proving that fútbol truly is life, the 35-year-old actor stepped out of the Hollywood limelight and onto the professional pitch this weekend to make his official competitive soccer debut in the United States.
How Ted Lasso's Cristo Fernández Reached For the Stars on the Field
Before he was chanting "Football is life" on Apple TV+, Fernández was a highly promising youth prospect for Liga MX club Tecos FC in Mexico.
That is, until a devastating knee injury shattered his dream of playing, pushing him into acting, and yet the itch to compete never left.
Earlier this year, Fernández took a massive gamble by participating in a trial with the Chicago Fire's reserve squad before ultimately earning a two-month trial with El Paso Locomotive FC.
He signed a pro contract with the Texas-based USL Championship club in May, culminating in his historic appearance on Saturday night, July 11, where he wore the No. 91 jersey and subbed into the match in the 79th minute.
While El Paso lost the game 2-0 to New Mexico United and Fernández even picked up a quick yellow card, fulfilling the actor's dream was no small feat.
"Football has always been a huge part of my life and identity, and no matter where life has taken me, the dream of competing professionally never truly left my heart,” he said at the time. “This journey back to professional fútbol soccer is about believing in yourself, taking risks, and continuing to chase your dreams no matter how unexpected the path may be.”
What Fans Can Expect From Dani Rojas's Return in Ted Lasso Season 4
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With Apple TV+ officially dropping Ted Lasso season 4 on August 5, 2026, fans are eager to see how Fernández's real-life sports schedule impacts the show.
The upcoming season will shift its focus dramatically as Ted Lasso returns to England to coach Richmond's newly formed second-division women's team, and because the story focuses heavily on the new "Lady Greyhounds" squad, it is highly anticipated that core members of the original men's roster, including Dani Rojas, will appear primarily in guest or limited cameo roles.
Considering the touching, hard-hitting plot twist Fernández faced in real life to chase his sports dreams with El Paso while still giving fans a taste of the character they adore on the small screens, fans will most likely lean toward supporting the actor's real-life achievement and appreciate his appearances now and then even more.
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