COPA America 2024 is in full swing, and it’s not just the biggest football fans getting excited—celebrities like Cristo Fernández, aka Dani Rojas, are also joining the celebration.
Soccer enthusiasts across the Americas are cheering for their favorite teams, and what better way to celebrate than by referencing Ted Lasso, our beloved soccer-themed TV series. Many actors from the show, including Cristo Fernández, who plays the spirited Dani Rojas, have real-life football experience.
In an exclusive interview with Distract, Cristo discussed his partnership with Mastercard during COPA America. This collaboration aims to give small business owners a night off to enjoy soccer as a “priceless” experience. But which team is Cristo backing?
Cristo and his former Ted Lasso teammates keep the football spirit alive through a WhatsApp group chat. “It’s part of our life,” Cristo shared with Distract. “Yesterday we played Brazil against Costa Rica in Los Angeles… We’ve become a family through many shared experiences.”
Cristo is rooting for Mexico in the tournament but has a soft spot for Lionel Messi. Although he supports Mexico first, he can’t help but cheer for Messi, who now plays for Inter Miami and represents Argentina in international matches. Cristo admitted, “I want Mexico to win, but Messi, I’m rooting for Messi too.” Reflecting on Messi’s World Cup win, he added, “It’s like Messi won, but football won too.”
Cristo’s partnership with Mastercard also allowed him to meet one of his football heroes, Hector Herrera. Cristo expressed his excitement about this collaboration, saying, “As a Mexican from Guadalajara, I love that this campaign speaks directly to the Hispanic community. It brings together two things I love: soccer and food.”
Meeting Hector Herrera was a dream come true for Cristo. Herrera, now a midfielder for Houston Dynamo, has had an illustrious career, including captaining FC Porto and representing Mexico in three World Cups. Cristo praised his partner, saying, “He’s not only a great football player but also a great person, a hard-working person.”
Cristo’s background as a professional soccer player inspired him to work on this campaign. He shared, “I used to be a professional soccer player, and I use all my skills and experiences in my daily life to pursue my dreams.”
As Ted Lasso fans, we’re excited to see Cristo cheering for Mexico in COPA America. Viva Mexico!
