Cristo Fernández, best known for bringing joy to the fans as Dani Rojas in Ted Lassois taking on a new creative role.
The actor officially becomes a children’s book author, inspired by the same love of football and life that made his television character so memorable.
Fernández has written a new bilingual children’s book titled Soccer is life! o Football is Life!which will be published by Scholastic Inc.
The book, illustrated by James Rey Sánchez, will be published in summer 2026 and is now available for pre-order.
Written in both English and Spanish, the story is rooted in Fernández’s own upbringing in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, and reflects his personal journey as a young soccer player whose life took unexpected turns.
According to the official description, the book follows a young man named Cristobalito, who carries his soccer ball everywhere, until an injury forces him to stop playing.
Without soccer at the center of his world, Cristobalito begins to notice new possibilities around him, from learning to make tamales with his grandmother to discovering movement through ballet with his sister.
The story gently explores how change can open doors to passions we didn’t know we had.
The book’s title comes from Fernández’s now famous phrase, “football is life,” which he originally created during his Ted Lasso hearing. For Fernández, the message goes far beyond the field.
“I hope this book shows children (and adults) that being yourself, where you come from, your culture, your joy, is your greatest strength,” Fernández shared in statements to PEOPLE.
“Especially in times when the world feels heavy, I hope this reminds families that staying open, trying new things, working hard and dreaming big can always move us forward.”
The story faithfully reflects Fernández’s own life.
He once pursued a professional soccer career in Mexico before injuries forced him to rethink his future.
That shift eventually led him to studying communications, then acting in the UK, and finally to his featured role in Ted Lasso.
Soccer is life! either Football is Life! hits bookstores on July 7, 2026, offering young readers a heartfelt story about resilience, identity, and discovering who you are beyond what you first dreamed.
