Ted Lasso actor joins second-tier club aged 35 – two decades after stepping away from football

Ted Lasso actor Cristo Fernandez has taken his character’s catchphrase, ‘football is life,’ literally by signing a pro contract.

The 35-year-old, best known for playing Dani Rojas in the hit Apple TV+ show, has joined American second-tier side El Paso Locomotive.

Apple TV

The Mexican, who starred at AFC Richmond between 2020 and 2023, has figuratively switched roles for the USL Championship side.

Fernandez was a youth football star at Tecos FC in Jalisco, Mexico, but a knee injury curtailed the forward’s career at the age of 15.

His three-year stint at the Greyhounds looked to be the closest he got to realising his dreams before he was handed a trial at El Paso.

And Fernandez echoed his fictional manager Lasso’s mantra to ‘believe’ during a two-month audition and ultimately earned a deal.

Ted Lasso actor signs for US club

“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,” said Fernandez.

“I’m incredibly grateful to El Paso Locomotive FC – the club, coaches, staff, and especially my team-mates – for opening the doors and giving me the opportunity to compete from day one.

“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.”

Fernandez has been documenting his attempts to return to pro football this year, having also trialled with Chicago Fire FC II earlier this year, whose first team are just one spot below Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami in the MLS.

Getty

Getty

El Paso describe forward as ‘a great addition’

His extensive two-month stint at Texas-based El Paso even included a preseason debut against New Mexico United.

The terms of Fernandez’s deal are yet to be disclosed, while it is also still pending league and federation approval, the club announced.

“Cristo is a great addition to our roster, adding another attacking threat to our forward line,” El Paso’s head coach, Junior Gonzalez, said.

“His passion for the game and leadership qualities for our locker room allow us to continue growing the positive culture we strive for as a club.”

El Paso, founded in 2018, are the same club that 18-cap USMNT international and World Cup hopeful Diego Luna broke through.

The Locos, who next play on May 27 against AV Alta FC. sit fourth in Group B of the USL Championship Western Conference standings.

That’s the same position they finished last year, with El Paso boasting four wins, three losses, and two draws from its first nine games.

Ted Lasso, meanwhile, is returning for series four in August following a three-year hiatus, but Fernandez has not been confirmed to return.