For Cristo Fernández, “Fútbol is life!” was never only a line.

It was a dream, then a setback, then a second act. Now it is a children’s book.

Fernández, best known for playing the relentlessly cheerful Dani Rojas on the Emmy Award-winning series Ted Lasso, has released his first bilingual picture book, Fútbol Is Life! / ¡Fútbol Es Vida!

Published by Scholastic, the English-Spanish book follows Cristobalito, a young boy who dreams of playing soccer until an injury gets in the way. What begins as a story about disappointment becomes one about finding new passions, leaning on others and learning that life can still surprise you when the original plan falls apart.

For Fernández, that plot is personal.

Before Ted Lasso made him known to audiences around the globe, Fernández was chasing a soccer career in Guadalajara, Mexico. Injuries forced him to step away from the game and rethink what came next. He went on to study communications and acting, later building a career as an actor and filmmaker.

Then came Dani Rojas.

The book’s title comes from the phrase Fernández made famous on Ted Lasso: “Fútbol is life!” According to the source material, Fernández improvised the line during his audition. It became one of the show’s most beloved catchphrases and helped turn Dani Rojas into a fan favourite.

Scholastic describes the book as “a love letter to the beautiful game.” Written in English and Spanish, it is aimed at children ages 4 to 8 and designed for bilingual families, young soccer fans and readers growing up with Latino language and culture at home.

The message is simple: getting knocked down does not mean the story is over.

That message has followed Fernández off the page, too.

Earlier this year, he signed a professional contract with El Paso Locomotive FC, returning to competitive soccer years after injuries pushed him away from the sport. It marked a full-circle moment for the actor, who has now lived both sides of the story he is telling young readers.

Fernández has also been connected to the 2026 FIFA tournament, serving as a Coin Toss Assistant and sharing his excitement as Mexico competes during the event across North America.

But for many families, his newest role may be the one read at bedtime.

With Fútbol Is Life! / ¡Fútbol Es Vida!, Fernández is taking the optimism of Dani Rojas and putting it into the hands of children who may be facing their own detours.

Because sometimes fútbol is life.

And sometimes, life is what happens after fútbol breaks your heart.

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