RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — On sunny weekends, Rio de Janeiro’s busiest beaches are typically filled with activity. However, on a particular stretch of sand, the scene was different as people paused to capture an incredible sight with their phones.
The spectacle? Footvolley, a sport that blends elements of soccer and beach volleyball. The star of the show? A 3-year-old border collie called Floki.
Floki captivates onlookers with his impressive skills in a game that challenges even human players. The rules of footvolley are similar to those of beach volleyball, but with a lower net; players, much like in soccer, can’t use their hands or arms. Floki leaps off the sand to strike the ball with his mouth, delighting audiences and becoming a social media sensation in Brazil with hundreds of thousands of followers on Instagram and TikTok.
His owner, Gustavo Rodrigues, serves as a footvolley coach but admits he never intended for Floki to become such a phenomenon. Initially, he wanted to adopt an American Bully, a much less agile breed, but Floki came into his life and immediately showcased his talent by jumping after birthday balloons as a pup just 2 months old.
Rodrigues introduced Floki to “altinha,” a game where a group of players stands in a circle and juggles a soccer ball for as long as possible. Last year marked Floki’s debut in the more challenging and competitive sport of footvolley, which is popular among some retired Brazilian soccer stars, including World Cup champions Ronaldinho and Romário.
Footvolley demands balance, agility, coordination, timing, and finesse. With only two players covering one side of the court, they must dash back and forth on soft sand under the hot sun. Floki has a natural flair for it, quickly emerging as a superstar.
“He does things that even some professionals struggle with—like positioning himself on the court,” shared Rodrigues, who is 26. “When the ball moves from one side of the court to the other, he doesn’t turn his back; he always faces the ball to hit it directly.”
This energetic pup clearly enjoys the game. Even while lounging in the shade of a beach bar, he remains intently focused on the match taking place nearby. During games, he barks at Rodrigues to pass him the ball and seems to grasp the basic rules perfectly. At times, instead of passing the ball back, he sneaks it over the net himself to score, jumping into Rodrigues’ arms to celebrate.
One impressed onlooker was Luiza Chioli, who traveled from São Paulo. A fan of Floki on TikTok, she didn’t expect to witness him perform in person while enjoying her gin and tonic. “We thought what we saw online was just edited highlights,” said the 21-year-old. “But we saw him play live, and he performed phenomenally. It’s really amazing.”
As Floki’s popularity grows, so do the sponsorships and endorsement deals. Though Rodrigues and Floki live in Brasilia, they frequently travel to Rio—footvolley’s hub—and other Brazilian cities for events, marketing appearances, and social media content creation.
The day began with an hour of play alongside former footvolley champion Natalia Guitler, known as the “Queen of the Beach.” While attempting to film a trick pass for social media, Floki would take breaks for water or a quick dip in the ocean. By day’s end, both athletes sought shade to recover from the sun.
“We’re exhausted,” Chioli exclaimed, collapsing onto the sand beside a panting Floki. She checked her phone for the best clips to share on Instagram, where she boasts nearly 3 million followers.
“Me and my bestie @dog_altinha playing footvolley,” she later posted, showcasing a video of a lengthy rally that included her bicycle kicking the ball over the net.
After some downtime and another round of footvolley, Floki headed to a quieter beach for a promotional photo shoot with Farm, a fashion brand celebrated for its stylish, tropical attire in Brazil and beyond.
Floki then endorsed a brand of dog popsicles, happily devouring a banana-flavored one while giving an altinha demonstration to shoppers at a mall. As the evening unfolded, he strolled along Copacabana’s promenade, straining against his leash, still full of energy.
With their weekend marketing activities concluded, Rodrigues and Floki planned to return to Brasilia, where their influencer lifestyle took a backseat to competitive matches. The duo wins about one in three games, as opponents are always eager to avoid losing to a dog.
“It stirs up a lot of banter, and people love to joke about it,” said Rodrigues. “No one wants to be the one to lose a point to him, so they really give it their all.”
Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america.
