Cristo Fernandez, known for his role as the enthusiastic soccer player Dani Rojas on the Apple TV series “Ted Lasso,” has made a return to professional soccer after a lengthy hiatus. At 35 years old, Fernandez recently debuted for El Paso Locomotive FC, a team competing in the United Soccer League (USL) Championship, the second division of men’s professional soccer in the United States.

Fernandez’s connection to soccer runs deep. Before his acting career, he played professionally in Mexico as a teenager. However, a knee injury disrupted his trajectory on the field and prompted him to pursue acting instead. His portrayal of Dani Rojas across three seasons of “Ted Lasso” introduced him to a new audience and allowed him to revisit his passion for the sport in a different capacity.

Recently, Fernandez completed a trial with Major League Soccer club Chicago Fire FC II, further signaling his intent to reenter the professional soccer landscape. His return comes as “Ted Lasso” shifts focus in its upcoming fourth season, where the storyline follows the titular coach as he takes on a women’s second-division team in Richmond.

Fernandez has spoken publicly about how working on “Ted Lasso” helped him reconnect with the game he grew up playing, underscoring the interplay between his acting and athletic endeavors. His journey highlights a rare crossover between professional sports and entertainment, demonstrating the influence each field can have on the other.

As Fernandez resumes his career in professional soccer, his experience both on screen and on the pitch presents a unique narrative of resilience and reinvention in the world of sports and performance.