Every Real Life Footballer The Characters Are Based On

Apple TV+'s Ted Lasso draws inspiration from the real world. Here's every real-life footballer the AFC Richmond players are based on.

Summary

• Ted Lasso draws inspiration from real-life football figures like Jürgen Klopp, adding authenticity and depth to the show's characters.
• Characters like Sam Obisanya, Dani Rojas, Roy Kent, and Jamie Tartt are based on real players, incorporating traits and storylines from their real-life counterparts.
• The attention to detail extends beyond the main characters, with AFC Richmond being influenced by real Premier League teams like Crystal Palace, enhancing the realism of the show.

Though the sports sitcom is a fictional story of an American football coach taking over a soccer club, there are several Ted Lasso characters based on real players. Created by Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt, along with fellow co-creators Bill Lawrence and Joe Kelly, the series became an instant hit after the release of season 1. Ted Lasso became the streaming platform's most beloved series and was the most nominated first-season comedy in Emmy history. Part of the success comes from the fact that the show pulled its inspiration for its titular character from real life, as the show was in part inspired by real-world figures from the world of football like FC Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp.

Likewise, while Ted Lasso'sAFC Richmond may not be a real football team, the fictional team and its players are informed by several professional footballers and real football clubs. These real-world influences ground the show in reality while embracing the silly premise. Sudeikis and Hunt reportedly spent time playing FIFA video games, where each gamer's team consists of real-life professional football players. The show's creators clearly put a lot of effort into creating authentic characters and developing meaningful backstories for them, and drawing from real footballers helped them to feel like rounded characters.

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Sam Obisanya

Played by Toheeb Jimoh

Sam Obisanya is an up-and-coming footballer from Nigeria when he was first introduced to audiences. In season 1, Obisanya rises through the ranks of the team to become an important midfielder and winger for AFC Richmond. In Ted Lasso season 2, his star continues to rise, and Sam becomes the face of the controversial Dubai Air advertising campaign. When his character takes a stand against the airline after finding out they are responsible for a devastating oil spill in Nigeria, it harkens back to the many players who have participated in this form of activism in real life, such as NFL and Olympic soccer teams taking a knee before games.

In season 3, Sam continues to be an outspoken voice, criticizing a British politician and their anti-immigration stance. In response, Sam is told he should stick to playing football and stay out of politics. This is similar to the real-life incident of LeBron James criticizing President Donald Trump and being told to "shut up and dribble" by political commentator Laura Ingraham. By the end of the series, Sam's willingness to speak up earns him the position of captain of AFC Richmond.

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Dani Rojas

Played by Cristo Fernández

Among the Ted Lasso characters based on real players, Dani Rojas has the most inspiration. Rojas is a joyful and exuberant footballer hailing from Guadalajara, Mexico who believes that “Football Is Life.” Like his coach, Rojas’s enthusiasm and cheerful disposition are contagious. Rojas’s skill as a player also helps bring the AFC Richmond team to the next level. There are many real footballers who exhibit a similar level of raw talent and passion for the game, and Rojas has been compared to the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappé.

Most notably, Dani Rojas is compared to Javier "Chicharito" Hernández - who was born in Guadalajara and played in Mexico before moving to England to play in the Premier League. While Rojas likely shares the closest resemblance to Hernández, his character was originally supposed to be from Iceland. Season 3 shows Rojas' rougher side as well, while still maintaining his positive energy, as he is seen nearly getting into a fight against Nate's West Ham United F.C. and also breaks Canadian teammate Van Damme's nose when they face off when representing their respective home countries.

Roy Kent

Played by Brett Goldstein

Roy Kent is a seasoned player who retires from the team in season 1. Though originally hired as a writer on the series, Goldstein perfectly portrays the frank but loveable footballer who never minces his words. Many fans have pointed out the connections between Roy Kent and real-life footballer Roy Keane, who excelled as the real-life team captain of Manchester United from 1997 to 2005. As Keane is noted for his highly competitive style of play and brash demeanor in real life, he and Kent clearly share more than a name in common.

Others have pointed out the similarities between the trajectory of Roy Kent's career in the Premier League to that of footballer Gary Cahill. After leading Chelsea to the UEFA Champions League, Cahill later went to play with Crystal Palace - the real-life team AFC Richmond is partially based on. Like Kent, this move took place in the twilight of Cahill's career. Kent later takes on a coaching job with AFC Richmond and stays on when Ted leaves at the end of season 3. Despite their initial prickly relationship, Kent also becomes a mentor to former teammate Jamie Tartt.

Jamie Tartt

Played by Phil Dunster

When Jamie Tartt is introduced in season 1, he is on loan to AFC Richmond from Manchester City, and he is another Ted Lasso character based on several real players. The fact that he’s a star player from Manchester has caused many fans to draw parallels between Jamie Tartt and David Beckham. Another ex-Manchester United player Tartt resembles is Cristiano Ronaldo. Often regarded as one of the greatest footballers of his time and one of the most famous, Tartt has been compared to Ronaldo for his tendency not to shy away from the limelight.

There are other influences that created the flashy, camera-loving Jamie Tartt. Even down to the makeup and costume design, which was also informed by real players. When Tartt moved back to Manchester City at the end of season 1, his spiked, middle-peak was inspired by Cristiano Ronaldo's look in real life. And later, Tartt channeled real-life Manchester City midfielder, Jack Grealish, with his side-shaved, slicked-back hairdo.

Tartt saw a tremendous evolution over the course of the show. Season 2 saw him being humbled by his career outside of Richmond and realizing he benefited from the positive leadership of Ted. He also made amends for his past behavior, taking a less aggressive role in the team and working hard to be the best player he could be under the guidance of Roy Kent.

Zava

Played by Maximilian Osinski

Zava made his debut in season 3, briefly becoming the new star forward for AFC Richmond thanks to Rebecca reaching out to him, knowing he could make AFC Richmond almost unstoppable. This character is not only based on real people, but Osinski himself revealed who his character was based on. According to the actor, Zava is based on Eric Cantona, Robert Lewandowski, and Zlatan Ibrahimović.

Out of the three, it was Zlatan Ibrahimović who played the most in the role. Osinski said he read Ibrahimović's book and watched documentaries with the footballer in them to prepare for playing the character (via Today). Ibrahimović played for AC Milan and the Sweden national team, starting his international career in 1999 and still playing to this day. This differs from Zava who announced his retirement from the sport shortly after joining Richmond.

AFC Richmond Team & Other Players

Like its well-developed characters, even the AFC Richmond team itself is based on real teams from the Premier League. Teams like Crystal Palace, whose similar South London location and red and blue team colors closely align with the fictional AFC Richmond. There are lots of reasons to love Ted Lasso, but this attention to detail is one of the many things that help to elevate the series. Such details bring the characters to life while celebrating the real-life players these Ted Lasso characters are based on. Though the series ended with three short seasons, it's possible the world of AFC Richmond could continue, and it will be interesting to see what real-life inspirations it continues to draw from.

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  Ted Lasso

  Summary:

  Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) is an American football coach who moves to England when he's hired to manage a struggling soccer team despite having no experience. With cynical players and a doubtful town, Ted will have to convince them that he's fit for the job. Ted Lasso has become one of Apple TV Plus’ most successful shows, earning over 10 Primetime Emmys.

  Release Date:

  2020-08-14

  Cast:

  Jeremy Swift, Phil Dunster, Hannah Waddingham, Nick Mohammed, Brendan Hunt, Jason Sudeikis, Brett Goldstein, Juno Temple, Toheeb Jimoh, James Lance

  Genres:

  Comedy, Drama, sport

  Seasons:

  3

  Rating:

  TV-MA

  Writers:

  Brendan Hunt, Joe Kelly, Bill Lawrence

  Streaming Service(s):

  Apple TV+

  Showrunner:

  Bill Lawrence

  Season List:

  Ted Lasso - Season 1, Ted Lasso - Season 2, Ted Lasso - Season 3