- - “Ted Lasso ”Star Cristo Fernández Announces New Book“ Fútbol Is Life!” — See the Cover! (Exclusive)

Lizz SchumerDecember 18, 2025 at 1:30 AM

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Gabe Sachs; Scholastic Inc.

Cristo Fernández and Fútbol is Life! by Cristo Fernández -

Ted Lasso's Cristo Fernández has a new kids book coming based on his own life as a fútbol-soccer player in his Mexico hometown

Fútbol Is Life! /¡Fútbol Es Vida! follows a little boy who gets injured and discovers there's more to life beyond the ball

“I hope this book shows kids (and grown-ups) that being yourself — where you come from, your culture, your joy — is your greatest strength," the author tells PEOPLE

Fans of Ted Lasso fell in love with Cristo Fernández's big-hearted Dani Rojas character and his catchphrase "fútbol is life!" and now, little readers will have a chance to do the same.

The actor's new bilingual children's book, Fútbol Is Life! /¡Fútbol Es Vida! , illustrated by James Rey Sanchez and due out this summer from Scholastic Inc., is inspired by the author's own life as a fútbol-soccer player in his hometown of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. According to a press release shared with PEOPLE, this English-Spanish bilingual story "explores themes of being open to change and discovering new passions."

In Fútbol Is Life! , Cristobalito and his soccer ball go everywhere together, until he gets injured. But without soccer, Cristo realizes other opportunities all around him. "Could his grandmother teach him the art of making tamales?" a synopsis asks. "Could his sister show him a whole new way of moving, like ballet? What else has he been missing?"

The new book's title was inspired by the catchphrase Fernández actually coined during his Ted Lasso audition and its creator wants kids to embrace their own unique selves through reading it.

Scholastic Inc.

Fútbol is Life! by Cristo Fernández

“I hope this book shows kids (and grown-ups) that being yourself — where you come from, your culture, your joy — is your greatest strength," Fernández tells PEOPLE in an exclusive statement.

"Especially in times when the world feels heavy, I hope it reminds families that staying open, trying new things, working hard and dreaming big can always move us forward. A seguirle echando ganas mi gente. Muchas gracias y… ¡Fútbol is Life Amigos!”

Apple TV+

Cristo Fernández and Billy Harris in 'Ted Lasso'

The book's plot also draws inspiration from its author's own life. Fernández began his professional life as a fútbol-soccer player in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, until injuries challenged him to reinvent his dreams. After earning a BA in Communications and later an MA in Acting in the UK, he forged his own path toward working as an actor and filmmaker and eventually landingTed Lasso.

— sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Fútbol Is Life! /¡Fútbol Es Vida! will hit shelves on July 7, 2026 and is available for preorder now, wherever books are sold.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”