Cristo Fernández became a global household name playing the relentlessly optimistic Dani Rojas in the hit Apple TV series 'Ted Lasso,' but these days, the Mexican actor is proving that life really can imitate art.
While fans know him as the fictional footballer behind the show's famous mantra, "Football is life," or "Fútbol es vida," as he enjoys saying in Spanish, Fernández is now chasing a real-life version of that dream. The Guadalajara-born actor recently signed with El Paso Locomotive FC, a professional club in the USL Championship, marking an unlikely return to competitive soccer after injuries ended his original ambitions as a player years ago. At the same time, he is promoting a new World Cup-themed campaign with Tequila Cazadores and preparing the release of his independent film 'No Translation Required.'
Speaking with this reporter, Fernández reflected on the extraordinary moment in his career, where acting, soccer, and entrepreneurship have collided.
"Nobody invited me. I invited myself," Fernández said with a laugh when asked how the professional soccer opportunity came about. "If life has taught me anything, it's that everything happens for a reason. The good and the bad."
Before becoming an actor, soccer was his only dream. Like many Mexican children, little Cristobal imagined a future on the pitch. But injuries and personal setbacks forced him to reconsider his path. Encouraged by his parents, a lawyer and a psychologist, Fernández studied communications and eventually discovered acting through children's theater.
"There was nothing crazier than football. Then I found something even crazier: cinema and acting," he said.
Years later, that journey led him to 'Ted Lasso,' where his soccer background helped create one of the series' most beloved characters. But the experience also reignited his desire to prove he could still compete.
"I challenged myself to return to professional football," Fernández said. "It's a process. Training with a professional team is one thing. Playing official matches is another. Then comes making the right pass, scoring goals, reaching the playoffs, and hopefully winning a championship."
The timing could not be better. As excitement builds around the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is being hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, Fernández finds himself uniquely positioned at the center of soccer culture.
The actor is partnering with Tequila Cazadores on a campaign celebrating the personalities that emerge during soccer matches. 'Carded by Cristo,' is a new campaign that reimagines fútbol's iconic yellow and red card as a badge of pride for "Real Fans" everywhere. "The game is based on how they behave while watching games with friends," he explained, promising fun and unforgetable moments that will go beyond the results of the World Cup matches.
As North America hosts the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Fernández sees the campaign as a way to bring people together through shared traditions. "If football and sharing a tequila have something in common, it's creating memorable moments," he said, adding that Tequila Cazadores reflects the hospitality and sense of community that characterize Latino culture. "My house is your house. That's who we are, and that's what we're celebrating."
"This is going to be a different World Cup, a special World Cup," he said. "Mexico has to take advantage of playing at home. I'm excited to support Mexico but also the United States and Canada. It's beautiful that football brings people together."
Asked which nation he believes could lift the trophy, Fernández pointed to perennial contenders such as France and Argentina while also highlighting Morocco as a possible surprise team. He also admitted he'll be watching closely to see whether Cristiano Ronaldo can make one last memorable World Cup run.
Beyond soccer, Fernández is equally passionate about filmmaking. His latest project, No Translation Required, is the first feature film produced through Spectro MX Films, the company he founded with his sister Paloma.
The romantic comedy follows a taco stand owner who dreams of becoming a chef and unexpectedly falls in love with a woman from the fashion industry. Set between Mexico and the United States, the film tackles immigration issues while maintaining a comedic and uplifting tone. Fernández stars in the lead role and spent nearly eight years helping bring the project to life.
"My biggest hero is Guillermo del Toro, and it took him 15 years to make Pinocchio," Fernández said. "This movie took us eight years. Sometimes you have to create your own opportunities."
That philosophy appears to guide every aspect of his career. Whether he is building a production company, launching a podcast, filming movies or pursuing professional soccer at an age when many players are retiring, Fernández remains committed to betting on himself.
His message is simple.
"You have to believe in yourself more than anyone else does," he said. "Focus on what you can control, keep working hard and keep creating opportunities."
For a man who became famous telling audiences that football is life, it seems Fernández is determined to prove that dreams, like goals, are still worth chasing long after the final whistle.
CAZADORES's limited fútbol bottle jerseys – a replica of the custom streetwear-style jersey, co-designed by Cristo in collaboration with CAZADORES and Icarus FC last year – will also be available in-store in select markets this summer with a bottle of CAZADORES Reposado to mix up Cristo's El Golazo cocktail at home.
EL GOLAZO
A nod to a spectacular goal — matching the punchy flavor and celebratory feel of this drink.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. Tequila CAZADORES Reposado
- ¾ oz. Agave Nectar
- ¾ oz. Fresh Lime Juice
- 3 thin slices of fresh jalapeño
- 2 oz. Pineapple Juice
- Salted Rim
- Dried Pineapple Slice and Lime Wheel for Garnish
Directions:
Combine all ingredients, shake, and serve on the rocks in a 12 oz. margarita glass with a salted rim. Garnish with a lime wheel and dried pineapple slice.
