Cristo Fernandez, known for his role in 'Ted Lasso', has signed with a US second-tier soccer club. This move marks a significant step in his sports career following his acting success.
Key points
Cristo Fernandez signs with a US second-tier soccer club
Known for his role in 'Ted Lasso'
Attended Elton John AIDS Foundation event on March 10, 2024
Transitioning from acting to professional sports
Mentioned in this story
Cristo FernandezElton John AIDS Foundation
Cristo Fernandez poses during arrivals at the Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party, to celebrate the 96th Oscars Academy Awards in Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 10, 2024. REUTERS/Alisha Jucevic
Noam Bettan, representing Israel, performs "Michelle" during the first semi-final of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, in Vienna, Austria, May 12, 2026. REUTERS/Lisa Leutner
Noam Bettan, representing Israel, performs "Michelle" during the first semi-final of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, in Vienna, Austria, May 12, 2026. REUTERS/Lisa Leutner
Noam Bettan, representing Israel, reacts after qualifying for the Grand final during the first semi-final of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, in Vienna, Austria, May 12, 2026. REUTERS/Lisa Leutner
A member of the audience holds a Palestinian flag during the first semi-final of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, in Vienna, Austria, May 12, 2026. REUTERS/Lisa Leutner
Q&A
Which US second-tier soccer club did Cristo Fernandez join?
Cristo Fernandez has signed with a US second-tier soccer club, although the specific club name is not mentioned.
What role did Cristo Fernandez play in 'Ted Lasso'?
Cristo Fernandez is known for his role as Dani Rojas in the television series 'Ted Lasso'.
When did Cristo Fernandez attend the Elton John AIDS Foundation event?
Cristo Fernandez attended the Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party on March 10, 2024.
What significance does Cristo Fernandez's signing have for his career?
Cristo Fernandez's signing with a soccer club represents a transition from acting to pursuing a professional sports career.
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New Zealand filmmaker Peter Jackson poses as he receives an Honorary Palme d'Or Award during the opening ceremony and the screening of the film "La Venus electrique" (The Electric Kiss) Out of competition at the 79th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 12, 2026. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
New Zealand filmmaker Peter Jackson with an Honorary Palme d'Or Award during the opening ceremony and the screening of the film "La Venus electrique" (The Electric Kiss) Out of competition at the 79th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 12, 2026. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
New Zealand filmmaker Peter Jackson, who received the Honorary Palme d'Or Award, and Mistress of Ceremonies Eye Haidara on stage during the opening ceremony and the screening of the film "La Venus electrique" (The Electric Kiss) Out of competition at the 79th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 12, 2026. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
New Zealand filmmaker Peter Jackson, who will be awarded with an Honorary Palme d'Or, poses on the red carpet during arrivals for the opening ceremony and the screening of the film "La Venus electrique" (The Electric Kiss) Out of competition, at the 79th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 12, 2026. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
Demi Moore, Jury member of the 79th Cannes Film Festival, poses during a photocall before the opening ceremony of the 79th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 12, 2026. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
View of banners at the "Eurovision Village" next to the city hall in Vienna, Austria, May 8, 2026. REUTERS/Lisa Leutner
Noam Bettan, representing Israel attends the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest's 'Turquoise Carpet' event in Vienna, Austria, May 10, 2026. REUTERS/Lisa Leutner
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Park Chan-wook, Jury President of the 79th Cannes Film Festival, smiles during a press conference before the opening ceremony of the 79th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 12, 2026.
Workers set up a giant canvas of the official poster featuring actors Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon from Ridley Scott's road movie "Thelma & Louise" on the facade of the Festival palace before the start of the 79th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 10, 2026. REUTERS/ Marko Djurica
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32nd Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party in Los Angeles
Cristo Fernandez poses during arrivals at the Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party, to celebrate the 96th Oscars Academy Awards in Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 10, 2024. REUTERS/Alisha Jucevic
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32nd Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party in Los Angeles
Cristo Fernandez poses during arrivals at the Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party, to celebrate the 96th Oscars Academy Awards in Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 10, 2024. REUTERS/Alisha Jucevic
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3 / 19
First semi-final of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, in Vienna
Noam Bettan, representing Israel, performs "Michelle" during the first semi-final of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, in Vienna, Austria, May 12, 2026. REUTERS/Lisa Leutner
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First semi-final of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, in Vienna
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First semi-final of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, in Vienna
A member of the audience holds a Palestinian flag during the first semi-final of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, in Vienna, Austria, May 12, 2026. REUTERS/Lisa Leutner
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First semi-final of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, in Vienna
Representatives gather at the end of the first semi-final of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, in Vienna, Austria, May 12, 2026. REUTERS/Lisa Leutner
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First semi-final of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, in Vienna
Essyla, representing Belgium, performs "Dancing on the Ice" during the first semi-final of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, in Vienna, Austria, May 12, 2026. REUTERS/Lisa Leutner
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The 79th Cannes Film Festival - Opening ceremony
New Zealand filmmaker Peter Jackson with an Honorary Palme d'Or Award during the opening ceremony and the screening of the film "La Venus electrique" (The Electric Kiss) Out of competition at the 79th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 12, 2026. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
12 / 19
The 79th Cannes Film Festival - Opening ceremony
New Zealand filmmaker Peter Jackson, who received the Honorary Palme d'Or Award, and Mistress of Ceremonies Eye Haidara on stage during the opening ceremony and the screening of the film "La Venus electrique" (The Electric Kiss) Out of competition at the 79th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 12, 2026. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
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The 79th Cannes Film Festival - Opening ceremony - Red Carpet Arrivals
New Zealand filmmaker Peter Jackson, who will be awarded with an Honorary Palme d'Or, poses on the red carpet during arrivals for the opening ceremony and the screening of the film "La Venus electrique" (The Electric Kiss) Out of competition, at the 79th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 12, 2026. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
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Noam Bettan, representing Israel attends the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest's 'Turquoise Carpet' event in Vienna, Austria, May 10, 2026. REUTERS/Lisa Leutner
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ESC Director Martin Green talks to Reuters during an interview in Vienna
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The 79th Cannes Film Festival - The official poster
Workers set up a giant canvas of the official poster featuring actors Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon from Ridley Scott's road movie "Thelma & Louise" on the facade of the Festival palace before the start of the 79th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 10, 2026. REUTERS/ Marko Djurica
May 13 (Reuters) - Ted Lasso actor Cristo Fernandez has taken his role as a footballer from the small screen to the soccer pitch after signing a professional contract with U.S. second-tier side El Paso Locomotive FC.
Fernandez, who played youth football in Mexico before stepping away from the sport at the age of 15 due to a knee injury, portrayed Dani Rojas in the hit Apple TV+ show about a British team with a U.S. coach.
On the sidelines of his acting career, Fernandez, 35, had also been pursuing a return to professional football and trained with Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire's reserves earlier this year.
Before signing for El Paso on Tuesday, he underwent a two-month trial with the USL Championship club which also included a pre-season appearance.
“(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 on the club website.
"Maybe I’m just a crazy man with crazy dreams."
El Paso, founded in 2018, are fourth in Group B of the USL Championship standings.
"Cristo is a great addition to our roster, adding another attacking threat to our forward line,” the club'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.”
(Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
