Mexican actor Cristo Fernandez, best known for his role as Dani Rojas in the AppleTV+ series Ted Lasso, has made his professional football debut with American second division side El Paso Locomotive.

The 35-year-old took to the pitch in the 79th minute of a 2-0 loss to New Mexico United, earning a yellow card for a foul on the opposition goalkeeper.

Fernandez, who was signed by the Texas-based club in May 2026, had previously faced setbacks in his football career due to injuries during his youth days in Guadalajara.Despite his character's upbeat persona in Ted Lasso, his real-life debut was marked by disappointment as El Paso suffered defeat.

The actor's journey from a rising football star to television fame and back to the sport highlights the challenges of balancing acting and athletics.

Fernandez's return to football came after years of rehabilitation with coaches and physical therapists, culminating in trials with MLS teams before joining El Paso.His comments about football being 'life' reflect his deep connection to the sport, despite the mixed results of his professional debut.