“Football is life” for Ted Lasso actor Cristo Fernandez.

The 35-year-old Mexican fulfilled his dream of becoming a professional footballer on Sunday by making his debut for American second-tier side El Paso Locomotive.

Fernandez, who played Dani Rojas in the hit Apple TV show between 2020 and 2023, came on as a 79th-minute substitute in Locomotive’s third and final USL Cup group game against rivals New Mexico United.

He signed for Locomotive, who are based in El Paso, Texas, in May after a two-month trial.

Locomotive were beaten 2-0 by New Mexico United and forward Fernandez was shown a yellow card on 87 minutes for a foul on the away side’s goalkeeper Kris Shakes.

Fernandez played youth football in his home city of Guadalajara, but stepped away from the game at the age of 15 because of a knee injury.

Having moved to London, he was cast in the award-winning Ted Lasso, the story of an American football coach who is hired to manage the fictional Premier League team AFC Richmond.

After signing for Locomotive, Fernandez said: “This journey back to professional soccer is about believing in yourself, taking risks, and continuing to chase your dreams no matter how unexpected the path may be.”

A fourth series of Ted Lasso will begin on Apple TV on 5 August.