Meet Floki: Rio’s Footvolley Superstar Pup

Quick Smiles:

• A border collie named Floki is dazzling crowds with his footvolley skills on Rio de Janeiro’s beaches.
• Floki’s owner, Gustavo Rodrigues, discovered his talent early and has since trained him to play competitively.
• Floki’s fame has skyrocketed, leading to social media stardom and various endorsement deals.

Rio de Janeiro’s bustling beaches often come to a halt as beachgoers witness an extraordinary sight. Amidst the usual commotion, a 3-year-old border collie named Floki has become the star of footvolley—a sport that combines soccer and beach volleyball.

Footvolley, while challenging for humans, sees Floki thrive with his impressive agility and coordination. Bystanders are left in awe as Floki leaps from the sand to hit the ball with his mouth, adhering to the sport’s rules that prohibit the use of hands and arms.

“He does things that even some professionals don’t—like positioning on the court,” said Gustavo Rodrigues, Floki’s owner and footvolley coach.

Floki’s journey began when Rodrigues noticed his potential at just 2 months old. Initially planning to get an American Bully, Rodrigues was pleasantly surprised by Floki’s natural talent for chasing balloons and later, soccer balls.

Rodrigues introduced Floki to “altinha,” where players juggle a soccer ball in a circle. By 2023, Floki had advanced to footvolley, a sport enjoyed by retired Brazilian soccer stars like Ronaldinho and Romário.

Footvolley demands poise, agility, coordination, and finesse. Covering one side of the court requires quick sprints on soft sand. Yet, Floki handles it with ease, becoming an instant sensation.

“Sometimes the ball goes from one side (of the court) to the other, and he doesn’t keep his back turned to it. He turns toward the ball to always hit it straight on,” Rodrigues added.

Even during breaks, Floki remains focused on the game, barking at Rodrigues to pass him the ball. Occasionally, he surprises opponents by sneaking the ball over the net himself, then jumps into Rodrigues’ arms to celebrate.

One Sunday, Luiza Chioli from Sao Paulo, who had seen Floki on TikTok, was thrilled to watch him live.

“Seeing social media, we had thought it was just cuts, that they used the best takes,” Chioli said. “But we saw he played, performed the whole time, did really well. It’s really cool.”

Floki’s popularity has led to numerous partnerships and endorsements. Regularly traveling from their home in Brasilia to Rio, Rodrigues and Floki participate in marketing appearances and create social media content.

On a recent Sunday, Floki played alongside former footvolley champion Natalia Guitler, known as the Queen of the Beach.

“We’re dead,” Guitler said after a long session, collapsing onto the sand next to a panting Floki.

Floki’s day continued with a marketing shoot for Farm, a fashion designer known for its tropical style. He then promoted a brand of dog popsicles on Instagram and gave an altinha demonstration to mall shoppers.

As their weekend in Rio concluded, Rodrigues and Floki returned to Brasilia, where they focus on competitive matches. Despite winning about one in every three games, their opponents are always eager to avoid being outplayed by a dog.

“It generates talk, and people make fun,” Rodrigues said. “No one likes to lose a point to him, so people play their hearts out against us.”

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