Cristo Fernández, the actor best known for his charismatic turn as Dani Rojas in the hit series 'Ted Lasso', marked a milestone in his athletic career when he made his professional soccer debut in the United States with El Paso Locomotive FC.
The 35‑year‑old entered the match as a substitute in the 79th minute, but his side fell to a 2‑0 loss against New Mexico United, with goals arriving in the 85th and 89th minutes.
Fernández described the moment as the culmination of years of hard work, stating that the opportunity to finally play the sport he loved after overcoming injuries and a detour into acting was a source of great joy.
His path to the pitch has been anything but linear. Growing up in Mexico, he spent time in youth academies of professional teams, dreaming of a career on the field. A series of injuries, however, curtailed that early promise and forced him to explore other passions.
Turning to the arts, Fernández enrolled at the Guildford School of Acting at the University of Surrey, graduating in 2018. The following year he landed the role of Dani Rojas in 'Ted Lasso', a character that quickly became a fan favourite and brought him international recognition.
After several successful years on screen, Fernández decided to revisit his original ambition of playing professional soccer. Early this year he received a trial with the reserve side of Chicago Fire, an MLS franchise, before signing with El Paso Locomotive FC in May.
Despite the disappointment of a 2‑0 defeat on his debut, Fernández remains upbeat about the future. He acknowledges uncertainty about what lies ahead but expresses gratitude for the chance to be back on the pitch and to continue pursuing his dual passions.