Cristo Fernandez signs with El Paso Locomotive
Ted Lasso star Cristo Fernandez has turned fiction into reality after signing for American second-tier club El Paso Locomotive following a two-month trial, reports BritPanorama.
The 35-year-old Mexican actor has gained international recognition for his portrayal of the endlessly enthusiastic Dani Rojas, who famously declared, “Football is life.” Now Fernandez is preparing to test that philosophy in professional football.
El Paso, competing in the USL Championship, confirmed that Fernandez earned a contract after impressing coaching staff during an extended trial period.
For Fernandez, this move signifies the fulfilment of a childhood dream. Before his acting career flourished, he played youth football in his hometown of Guadalajara and aspired to pursue the sport professionally. Those ambitions were disrupted by a serious knee injury at the age of 15.
Fernandez later relocated to London to study and establish his acting career. His breakthrough role came in Ted Lasso, the award-winning Apple TV+ comedy featuring Jason Sudeikis as an American coach managing English club AFC Richmond. Rojas became one of the show’s most beloved characters over three seasons from 2020 to 2023.
Away from Ted Lasso, Fernandez has appeared in other productions including Spider-Man: No Way Home and Acapulco. Yet throughout his Hollywood success, his passion for football remained strong. Earlier this year, he trained with the reserve side of Chicago Fire before his opportunity with El Paso arose.
“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,” Fernandez said. “I’m incredibly grateful to El Paso Locomotive – the club, coaches, staff, and especially my team-mates – for opening the doors and giving me the opportunity to compete from day one.”
He added: “This journey back to professional soccer is about believing in yourself, taking risks, and continuing to chase your dreams no matter how unexpected the path may be. Maybe I’m just a crazy man with crazy dreams… so being here with the ‘Locos’ actually makes perfect sense.”
Head coach Junior Gonzalez is optimistic about Fernandez’s potential impact on the pitch. “Cristo is a great addition to our roster, adding another attacking threat to our forward line,” he said.
Today, as Fernandez prepares to don a real team jersey, it’s clear that the line between fiction and reality can sometimes be delightfully blurred. His journey highlights the role of passion and tenacity in achieving one’s dreams, not just on screen, but under the floodlights of professional football.
