Ted Lasso star Cristo Fernández becomes a professional footballer Apfelpatient

Cristo Fernández, who plays the charming striker Dani Rojas in Ted Lasso, is moving from the set to the pitch: The actor has signed a professional contract with US second-division team El Paso Locomotive FC. A story that couldn't be more fitting for the series' "Believe" mantra.

Apple's streaming service, Apple TV, has created one of its biggest series franchises with Ted Lasso – and its impact apparently extends beyond the screen. While season 4 is slated for August 2026, one of the most popular supporting actors is now writing his own Believe storyline and returning to professional soccer after years away.

The transition from the set to the court

El Paso Locomotive FC officially announced the signing of Cristo Fernández as a striker on May 12, 2026. The contract signing followed a two-month trial period during which Fernández regularly participated in training sessions. He also made an appearance in a preseason friendly against New Mexico United. The club plays in the USL Championship, the second-highest division in American professional soccer.

The Mexican-born actor didn't choose football by chance. He played competitively in his youth, but had to give up the sport at the age of 15 due to an injury. Instead of a career as a professional footballer, he pursued acting – and his international breakthrough came with the role of Dani Rojas in Ted Lasso.

A life story that fits the series

In his statement, Fernández himself appears deeply moved by the career move. He describes the switch as a return to a dream that has never left him and emphasizes the importance of believing in oneself and taking unexpected paths. In Spanish, he thanks family and friends for their trust and concludes with a typical Ted Lasso-esque touch: perhaps he is a crazy man with crazy dreams – then he fits perfectly with the "Locos" of El Paso.

The club's head coach speaks of Fernández's passion for the game and his leadership qualities in the locker room, which contribute to a positive club culture. The fact that the actor is now a real-life striker, transferring the values of his TV character into real life, is a twist that even the writers of Ted Lasso could hardly have executed better.

What this means for Ted Lasso Season 4

The question of whether Fernández will appear in the upcoming fourth season of Ted Lasso remains open. It's confirmed that he will no longer be a regular member of the new cast – the storyline revolves around an all-female team this time, and the focus shifts accordingly. Cameo appearances are not out of the question, but they haven't been confirmed either. By August 2026 at the latest, when the new episodes premiere, it should be clear how significant Dani Rojas' role in the series' new chapter actually is.

An Apple TV story that extends beyond the platform

For Apple, Fernández's career change is a reminder of just how far the cultural influence of a well-made series can reach. Ted Lasso not only won Emmys and established Apple TV as a serious streaming player, but it also apparently shaped real lives. The fact that the very actor whose character made "football is life" the series' running gag is now becoming a professional soccer player himself is a PR story no marketing team could have invented. (Image: Apple)