Meet Floki, A Brazilian Dog Who Became Popular For His Impressive Footvolley Skills

Animals are often stars of unexpected antics, capturing our hearts with their playful and sometimes astonishing behaviour. One such canine from Brazil has recently stolen the spotlight in an extraordinary way. Meet Floki, a 3-year-old border collie whose footvolley skills have taken the internet by storm. Footvolley, a sport that combines football and beach volleyball, challenges even the most athletic players. The rules of the game are essentially same as beach volleyball but with a slightly lower net and like football, players are not allowed to use their hands and arms. Floki has taken this demanding game to new heights, impressing beachgoers and online followers alike with his sharp reflexes and precise moves.

Floki’s owner, Gustavo Rodrigues, a footvolley coach, had initially desired an American Bully for its laid-back demeanor. Rodrigues was surprised when Floki, a lively border collie, came into his life, revealing his potential at just 2 months old when started jumping after birthday balloons.

Rodrigues then introduced Floki to altinha, a game where players in a circle keep soccer ball aloft using only their feet and hands. This laid the groundwork for Floki’s future in footvolley – a sport enjoyed by some Brazilian footballers often after they retire. By 2023, Floki made his debut, showcasing his remarkable skills in this challenging game. The game demands poise, agility, coordination, timing and finesse. Players must cover one side of the court with swift sprints on soft sand under blazing sun. Despite sport’s nature, Floki quickly adapted and excelled, proving himself to be a natural.

“He does things that even some professionals don’t — like positioning on the court. 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 was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.

Even during breaks, Floki remains engrossed in the game, observing the matches from the shade of the beach’s caipirinha bar. When playing, he barks for the ball from Rodrigues and surprises everyone by scoring points himself, sneaking the ball over the net before leaping into his owner’s arms to celebrate.

“Seeing social media, we had thought it was just cuts, that they used the best takes. But we saw he played, performed the whole time, did really well. It’s really cool,” said Luiza Chioli, one of the awestruck onlookers who had traveled to Rio de Janeiro from Sao Paulo.

As Floki’s popularity has surged, so have the opportunities for partnerships and endorsements. While Rodrigues and Floki are based in Brasilia, they frequently journey to Rio de Janeiro – footvolley’s epicenter – and other Brazilian regions. These trips are not just for showcasing Floki’s impressive skills but also for promotional events and creating engaging, revenue-generating content for growing social media presence.