Ferran Torres, the hero of Spain at the World Cup and of mistreated animals: his most important match is for stray dogs and the Planet

His goals set stadiums all over the world alight, but the real victory for Ferran Torres takes place well beyond the ninety minutes of the match. The FC Barcelona striker, who scored the decisive goal that gave Spain the World Cup title, has had a deep passion for animal welfare since he was a child.

Growing up in Foios, the footballer developed a visceral bond with dogs, an affection marked in childhood by the painful death of his beloved Rex, whose name was imprinted on his skin through a tattoo shared with his sister. In his residence, the athlete has designed tailor-made spaces and isolated rest areas to ensure maximum well-being for his faithful four-legged companions. Today his home is brightened by the presence of Minnie, an Andalusian podenca, and Lluna, a Czechoslovakian wolfdog, both adopted from difficult situations.

Since 2021 he has been Champion Ambassador for animal protection

Since 2021, Ferran Torres’ commitment has taken on an international dimension thanks to his meeting with the Wild at Heart Foundation, the charity founded by Nikki Tibbles in 2015. Struck by the distance from his dogs during his football stint at Manchester City, the striker chose to become the organisation’s first Champion Ambassador.

Its mission is aimed at raising public awareness and raising funds to stem the plague of the 600 million stray dogs spread across the planet. The association operates on a global scale promoting sterilization projects, responsible adoption campaigns and rehousing interventions, offering a second chance to creatures who are victims of abandonment and mistreatment. Before taking the field for the world championship final, the player showed his pride in his cause by publishing an image of Minnie and Lluna dressed in the Spanish national team shirt.

Torres is also very environmentally conscious

Ferran Torres’ attention to nature is not limited to animal protection. The Spain striker is in fact an active supporter of Kick Out Plastic, an initiative created to eliminate single-use plastic and promote a sustainable lifestyle. The champion faces the hardships of a professional career by taking refuge in the greenery: long walks in the mountains and silent walks on the beach together with his dogs represent for him the fundamental tool for regenerating the mind and staying connected with the surrounding environment.