Cristo Fernández, beloved by fans the world over for his role as Dani Rojas in the hit television show Ted Lasso, looks set to make his soccer dreams leap from the silver screen to reality as he trials with USL Championship side El Paso Locomotive FC.

Goal has reported that Fernández, 35, logged half-an-hour for Locomotive in their win against New Mexico United over the weekend, with the Junior Gonzalez-coached side set to determine if they will sign the actor-turned-soccer player to a contract in the coming week.

And it’s seemingly not the first club that Fernández has looked to land with ahead of the coming season, with MIR97 Media subsequently reporting that he had also logged time with Chicago Fire II a few weeks ago and even scored in a win over USL League One outfit Forward Madison FC.

There was no word on if he took a penalty in either game — nor if there were any greyhounds attempting to cross the pitch when he did so — but in the video below (just click to the right!) you can clearly see Fernández celebrating El Paso’s win with his teammates.

An avid soccer fan who is can often be found attending professional matches, Fernández’s attempt to land with El Paso don’t so much represent a new path so much as a return to the old one. A promising player in his youth, Fernández suffered a serious knee injury with hometown side Tecos Fútbol Club when he was 15 years old, and subsequently turned to acting at university.

Soccer players stepping onto the screen, of course, isn’t exactly a new phenomena; the likes of Vinnie Jones and the incomparable Eric Cantona amongst those who traded their boots for the bright lights of Hollywood. The reverse path isn’t as common but not unheard of, either, with Sean Connery playing for Bonnyrigg Rose as a youngster and, according to legend, offered a contract Sir Matt Busby after impressing in a kickabout against a side the legendary Manchester United boss happened to be scouting.

Cardi B appears to be taking shots at her ex-boyfriend, New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs, during one of her stops on her “Little Miss Drama Tour.”

The rapper, whose real name is Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, may not have mentioned his name, but it was very clear who she was talking about when she went off during an onstage rant. 

“It’s called principle,” Cardi B said, announcing the next song she was going to perform at her San Francisco stop.

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“You can’t be out here playing with a b—- like me. There’s n—– out here praying for a b—- like me.”

As the crowd cheered, Cardi B continued on. 

“I’m too sexy to be lonely and too grown to be played with. Who you playin’ with motherf—–?” she questioned. 

Cardi B took to X to try and clarify her monologue, which went viral on social media.

“Dear blogs, when I perform a song I always introduce the song with a lil razzle dazzle.. not everything a shot or personal,” she posted. “I’m actually repeating lyrics from the songs…Relax.”

Cardi B attends the Ashi Studio Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2025/2026 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on July 08, 2025 in Paris, France. (Pierre Suu/Getty Images)

Cardi B and Diggs were one of the top celebrity couples during the 2025 NFL season, especially as she was spotted supporting the Patriots during their run to Super Bowl LX. Diggs and his squad were unable to secure victory, though, as the Seattle Seahawks came away with the Vince Lombardi Trophy. 

It was reported that Diggs and Cardi B ended their relationship “a few days” before Super Bowl LX in San Francisco after he allegedly “betrayed her so many times,” per Page Six. People added that Cardi B ended the relationship because she “couldn’t trust” the 32-year-old veteran receiver any longer. 

Cardi B and Diggs welcomed a baby boy on Nov. 13, 2025 – her fourth after having three children with her estranged rapper husband, Offset. Diggs has six total kids, including his boy with Cardi B, and four of his children were born in 2025. 

Cardi B and Stefon Diggs of the New England Patriots pose for a portrait after the AFC Championship game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on Jan. 25, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images)

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Cardi B and Diggs sparked rumors of dating in February 2025, as they spent Valentine’s Day in Miami together. 

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BOULDER, Colo. — The Colorado Buffaloes told stories Monday, like how Dominiq Ponder once jumped a 10-foot fence to let a rehabbing teammate into the hot tub. They chatted about his work ethic, too, and how he was in the quarterback room before sunrise.

It was a chance to reflect on their teammate who died early Sunday morning in a single-car crash. He was 23.

The players were given the option by coach Deion Sanders to skip the first day of spring practice Monday. But in an emergency meeting the night before — to grieve together and comfort one another — everyone agreed that taking the field was the best option.

Because that’s what Ponder would’ve wanted. He was on their minds at practice as they broke the huddle with the chant of “Dom.”

“Almost like a boost of energy, like he was there with us,” running back DeKalon Taylor said. “That’s what it felt like.”

Players found out about Ponder’s death throughout the day. Some found out the news Sunday after church. Some later in the day. Offensive coordinator Brennan Marion said he received a phone call from Ponder’s father while Marion was playing with his own son.

“I couldn’t move,” Marion said. “I was speechless talking to Dom’s dad.”

Ponder was driving a 2023 Tesla when he lost control on a curve and hit a guardrail, according to the Colorado State Patrol. The car struck an electrical line pole and rolled down an embankment. Ponder was pronounced dead at the scene in Boulder County. Police said a preliminary investigation “shows that speed is suspected as a factor.”

“God please comfort the Ponder family, friends & Loved ones,” Sanders posted Sunday on X. “Dom was one of my favorites! He was Loved, Respected & a Born Leader. Let’s pray for all that knew him & had the opportunity to be in his presence. Lord you’re receiving a good 1.”

Sanders is expected to address the media on Friday.

“It’s sad not being able to protect him [Ponder] off the field,” offensive lineman Yahya Attia said Monday. “I still don’t really realize it — I don’t want to believe it yet.”

Same with Taylor, who said Ponder was just showing off his new tattoo to him Friday. It was surreal being at practice without Ponder.

“Heavy at first,” Taylor said. “But we all bought in. We had no choice but to go hard for him. Everybody was running around and doing their best. And if we did mess up, we messed up at full speed.”

Because that’s how Ponder operated — at full speed. The backup QB and special teams player was a leader who learned how to guide a team by watching the likes of Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter.

“[Teammates] saw how hard [Ponder] worked, how hard he wanted it, to prove that he could play at the collegiate level and be a college quarterback,” Marion said of Ponder, a transfer from Bethune-Cookman. “In an era where you have to force people to work hard, you had to tell Dom to stop working so hard. Just being around a kid like that, his energy was contagious as far as his work ethic.”

It was difficult for Marion being in the quarterbacks room at 5:30 a.m., knowing that Ponder was always there by that time.

“We’ll just save a spot for him in the room,” Marion said.

The practice Monday wasn’t so much for quality of work purposes, but a chance to simply be together.

“We didn’t coach with the same urgency, as far as screaming at guys and losing our mind,” Marion said. “We coached like you would coach your child.”

Defensive back Ben Finneseth became tight with Ponder since the 6-foot-5 sophomore from Opa-locka, Florida, transferred into the program. He visited Ponder and his family over spring break a year ago.

“Everything that we’re going to do moving forward is for him,” Finneseth said. “It was tough, meeting together [Sunday], everybody, and knowing what happened. Coach Prime asked us if we wanted to work [Monday].

“We decided, as a team, Dom wouldn’t miss the day. He wouldn’t miss the day of workouts. That’s what he would’ve wanted for us. He would have said, ‘Life’s got to move on. We’ve got championships to win and we still have goals, and the clocks are still rolling.'”

Finneseth shared the story about how a few weeks ago they were hanging out at his apartment complex and wanted to use the hot tub. Finneseth, who’s rehabbing his knee, didn’t have the key so Ponder hopped over the tall fence to get them inside.

“Always there for teammates,” Finneseth said. “Whatever we needed.”

Defensive back RJ Johnson felt the same way.

“That’s what we have to do this season,” Johnson said. “Play for Dom.”