Cristo Fernández, adored by fans globally for his portrayal of Dani Rojas in the acclaimed streaming program Ted Lasso, appears poised to transform his football aspirations from fiction to actuality as he undergoes a tryout with USL Championship team El Paso Locomotive FC.
According to Goal, Fernández, 35, spent thirty minutes on the field for Locomotive during their victory over New Mexico United during the recent weekend. The squad mentored by Junior Gonzalez is scheduled to determine whether to offer a deal to the performer-turned-footballer in the ensuing days.
Furthermore, this is apparently not the initial team Fernández has sought to join prior to the impending season. MIR97 Media later disclosed that he had also participated with Chicago Fire II some weeks prior and even managed to net a goal during a triumph against USL League One squad Forward Madison FC.
It remained unstated whether he attempted a penalty kick in either match — nor if any greyhounds tried to traverse the field during his play — however, in the ensuing video (simply click to the right!) it is evident that you can observe Fernández commemorating El Paso’s victory alongside his fellow players.
A fervent football enthusiast frequently observed at professional games, Fernández’s endeavor to join El Paso signifies less a novel direction and more a resumption of his former course. A talented footballer during his younger years, Fernández sustained a severe knee ailment while playing for his local team, Tecos Fútbol Club, at the age of fifteen, and consequently pursued a career in acting during his university studies.
Footballers transitioning to film, naturally, is hardly an unprecedented occurrence; individuals such as Vinnie Jones and the unparalleled Eric Cantona are among those who exchanged their athletic careers for the glamour of Hollywood. The opposite trajectory, while less frequent, is also not unheard of, with Sean Connery performing for Bonnyrigg Rose in his youth and, as per folklore, being presented with an agreement by Sir Matt Busby following a compelling performance in an informal game against a team the iconic Manchester United manager was coincidentally observing.