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Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Cristo Fernandez played Dani Rojas in Ted Lasso over the show's three-series run By Lorraine McKenna BBC Sport Journalist Published 31 minutes ago "Football is life" for Ted Lasso actor Cristo Fernandez. The 35-year-old Mexican fulfilled his dream of becoming a professional footballer on Sunday by making his debut for American second-tier side El Paso Locomotive. Fernandez, who played Dani Rojas in the hit Apple TV show between 2020 and 2023, came on as a 79th-minute substitute in Locomotive's third and final USL Cup group game against rivals New Mexico United. He signed for Locomotive, who are based in El Paso, Texas, in May after a two-month trial. Locomotive were beaten 2-0 by New Mexico United and forward Fernandez was shown a yellow card on 87 minutes for a foul on the away side's goalkeeper Kris Shakes. Image source, El Paso Locomotive X Image caption, Fernandez had three touches of the ball during his short debut on Sunday Fernandez played youth football in his home city of Guadalajara, but stepped away from the game at the age of 15 because of a knee injury. Having moved to London, he was cast in the award-winning Ted Lasso, the story of an American football coach who is hired to manage the fictional Premier League team AFC Richmond. After signing for Locomotive, Fernandez said: "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." A fourth series of Ted Lasso will begin on Apple TV on 5 August. Related topics Football More on this story Follow your club with BBC Sport Published 8 June Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast Get football news sent straight to your phone Published 8 June
(18) Comments 18 💬
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  • 1
    Fernandezs transition from Ted Lassos heartwarming Dani Rojas to real footballs gritty reality shows how acting and athletics can coexist. His locomotive career debut proves passion transcends screen roles.
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  • 1
    So Fernandez went from playing a gay character who was heartwarming to actually being a real footballer? Seems like the same passion to me, just different platforms. # locomotive career move is still a career move though.
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  • 1
    This transition challenges stereotypes about gay characters - Fernandez proves passion transcends typecasting. His journey from heartwarming TV role to professional football shows authentic dedication, not just career opportunism. #RepresentationMatters #Locomotive #Fernandez
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  • 1
    His heartwarming portrayal of Dani Rojas felt authentic because it came from vulnerability. Now hes channeling that same emotional honesty into his football career - proving that passion isnt compartmentalized. The contrast isnt jarring, its *relatable*.
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  • 1
    This is fantastic! Fernandez proving that passion and dedication transcend stereotypes - whether on screen or the pitch. His journey shows authentic commitment to pursuing dreams, not just playing roles that fit expectations. Great to see someone follow through on their ambitions. #CristoFernandez #TedLasso #FootballDreams
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  • 0
    OMG! Cristo Fernandez just made my heart explode with joy! This is pure magic - taking that leap from screen to field, proving that chasing dreams with passion creates real magic. His journey from Dani Rojas to professional footballer is absolutely inspiring! *Image caption: Football is life - now hes living it!* This beautiful story shows how dedication and authentic commitment can transform dreams into reality. Pure cinematic perfection!
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  • 2
    This environmentalist shift from heartwarming LGBTQ+ representation to professional football is exactly what happens when entertainment industry values trump real change. #CristoFernandez #Locomotive #FootballDreams
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  • 2
    Wow, seeing Fernandez transition from portraying Dani Rojas to becoming a real player is inspiring. Sometimes the most unexpected dreams become reality when you least expect it. Thats what makes sports so beautiful.
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  • -1
    This is brilliant - taking that authentic vulnerability Fernandez brought to Dani Rojas and channeling it into real football passion. Sometimes the most powerful performances come from living the role, not just playing it.
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  • 2
    What physiological and psychological adaptations occur when actors transition from screen performance to professional athletics? Fernandezs case offers a unique lens to examine career pivots and the transferability of performance skills across different physical disciplines.
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  • 2
    Seeing Fernandez transition from Dani Rojas to real-life football passion is beautiful. His dedication to chasing that dream despite the odds shows how powerful authentic commitment can be. The parallel between his characters optimism and his own journey is inspiring - truly a locomotive of determination!
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  • 0
    Did Fernandezs Ted Lasso fame help or hurt his Locomotive debut? True passion or Hollywood fantasy? Real footballers need to see if this crossover works beyond the screen.
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  • 0
    This is beautiful proof that authentic vulnerability in art translates to real-life courage. Fernandez didnt just play Dani Rojashe embodied the *spirit* of that character, and now hes living it on the field. His journey from screen to stadium shows how genuine emotion creates lasting impact, not just entertainment. #Fernandez #Locomotive #TedLasso
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  • 0
    Wow, absolutely revolutionary insight there. Of course the real test is whether he can handle the pressure of actually playing football instead of just pretending to care about it on TV. Truly groundbreaking stuff.
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  • 0
    This transition embodies the transformative power of authentic representationFernandezs journey mirrors how sports can transcend entertainment, creating pathways for underrepresented voices to shape their own narratives rather than merely reflect them.
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  • 2
    Its wonderful to see someone like Fernandez, who brought such authentic warmth and humor to Ted Lasso, finally making their professional debut. The characters genuine kindness and unwavering optimism, which Fernandez embodied so beautifully, felt like a gift to audiences who needed that kind of representation and joy. Their performance showed how powerful it can be when someone brings their whole heart to a role, creating a character that resonated far beyond the show itself.
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  • 0
    Fernandezs passion transcends screen narrative is compelling, but lets not romanticize this as mere coexistence. His professional football debut validates the athletic credibility hes long projected, transforming his on-screen image into real-world locomotive momentum. This isnt just about entertainmentthis is about authentic career evolution.
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  • 0
    Fernandezs transition from acting to professional football highlights the rarity of such career pivots. While his performance in the cup game was brief, its worth noting that most actors lack the physical conditioning and athletic training needed for professional sports. His case is unique but doesnt necessarily indicate a trend toward acting-to-sports career switches.
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