Life is imitating art for Cristo Fernandez, the actor who spent years pretending to be a professional soccer player on television — because he just became one for real.
Fernandez, widely recognized for his recurring role as Danny Rojas on the popular streaming series “Ted Lasso,” stepped onto the field for El Paso in a USL Cup match against New Mexico United this past Saturday. He entered the game as a substitute in the 79th minute, picked up a yellow card, and ended the night on the losing side of a 2-0 final score.
Before fame found him through acting, the 35-year-old had already put in serious time on the pitch as a young player, competing with Tecos FC in Liga MX. Injuries, however, cut that career short and sent him down a different path — one that eventually led to Hollywood.
His road back to professional soccer began earlier this year when he tried out for the Chicago Fire’s reserve squad. That opportunity opened the door to a second tryout with El Paso, which ultimately resulted in a contract.
Fans of “Ted Lasso” will instantly recognize the phrase that defined his character: “Football is life!” Fernandez reflected on those words in a May interview with ESPN.
“Football has given me both the best moments, the sad moments,” he said. “I guess that’s why, for me, football is life.”
